SLDN Week in Review: February 13-17, 2012
Major Step Forward in SLDN's Lawsuit Challenging DOMA and Titles 10, 32, 38. Late Friday, the Department of Justice sent a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner indicating its position on McLaughlin et. al. v. Panetta et. al., SLDN's landmark litigation brought in October 2011 on behalf of married gay and lesbian service members and veterans seeking equal recognition, support, and benefits for their spouses and families. To read SLDN's statement on the Department of Justice position, click here. To read Metro Weekly's coverage and analysis, click here.
Meanwhile, CW2 Charlie Morgan, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, joined SLDN to release an online video urging supporters of equality to sign a petition calling on Speaker Boehner to not defend this case. To see CW2 Morgan's video, click here. To read and sign the petition, click here.
SLDN Calls on National Guard to Weigh In On Oklahoma DADT Bill. For a number of weeks, SLDN has been monitoring movement in the state of Oklahoma on a bill that would reinstate the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) law for the Oklahoma National Guard. This bill is now scheduled to be taken up for consideration by the Oklahoma House Veteran and Military Affairs Committee on Monday, February 20, 2012. It may well pass out of committee and would likely pass the full House. On Friday, SLDN sent an urgent letter to the National Guard Bureau chief, General Craig R. McKinley, encouraging the National Guard to weigh in with Oklahoma decision-makers regarding the dramatic and negative consequences such an action would have on the state. To read the letter, click here.
Honoring Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, SLDN is honoring Black History Month in a number of ways. This week, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis authored a piece for The Huffington Post, making the connection between the courageous leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and the progress now being made on LGBT equality. To read the piece, click here.
SLDN's Twentieth Anniversary T-Shirt Contest. The period for submitting designs for SLDN's Twentieth Anniversary T-Shirt Contest closed this week, and the voting is now open. To view them and cast your vote for one of the four finalists, click here. You must be a member of Facebook to participate. The winner will be announced during the Twentieth Annual National Dinner in Washington, DC on Saturday, March 3, 2012. To purchase tickets, click here.
02-19-12 By Zeke Stokes, SLDN Communications Director |
