SLDN Week In Review: June 11-15, 2012
Booed Soldier and Husband, SLDN Clients, Join National Marriage Campaign. Freedom to Marry and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) on Monday released a new online video featuring Army Captain Stephen Hill and his husband, Joshua Snyder, spotlighting the inequalities forced upon gay and lesbian service members by the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Hill - who drew national support when he was booed during a Republican presidential debate after asking a question via video regarding repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) - recently returned from a deployment to the Middle East. Hill and Snyder are also plaintiffs in landmark litigation filed in October 2011 by SLDN on behalf of eight married gay and lesbian service members and veterans challenging DOMA and other federal statutes that are being used to prevent the military from providing the same protections and support to all families. For more information on the case, click here.
Secretary Panetta Releases Historic Video Marking LGBT Pride Month. On Friday, SLDN responded to an historic video released by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, in recognition of LGBT Pride Month. To watch the video and read SLDN's statement of support, click here.
GOP Senators Take Legal Action Supporting DOMA. On Tuesday, SLDN responded to an Amicus Curiae brief filed by ten Republican U.S. Senators in the case Golinski v. Office of Personnel Management asserting that no harm was intended to LGBT Americans through the passage of the DOMA, and that the law is the result of a significant government interest in clarifying the federal definition of marriage. To read SLDN's statement, click here.
30 Days of Pride. Each day throughout the month of June, SLDN is profiling individuals on the front lines making a difference today in the fight for full LGBT military equality. To view the profiles, click here.
06-15-12 By Zeke Stokes, SLDN Communications Director |
