Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

This is what our movement looks like!

Last Thursday and Friday were proud days on Capitol Hill for SLDN and for LGBT Americans in uniform. SLDN's sixth annual Lobby Day was a record-setting outpouring of support for our movement to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." It was a joy to see over 200 SLDN activists all over the Hill, looking Members of Congress in the eye and insisting on equality. I had the honor of observing democracy unfold from the Capitol West Front Lawn, the site of what I'll un-humbly describe as a terrific rally. Looking out from the stage to the sea of activists before me, I got a jolt of renewed confidence that victory is within our reach. And how lucky am I, to get to introduce to our crowd the indomitable Congresswomen Shelley Berkley (D-NV) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)? I want to acknowledge by name each of the individuals who shared their own brand of inspiration with our crowd at the rally. In addition to the two Congresswomen, we had the pleasure of some excellent words from Chaplain Colonel Paul Dodd, Christopher Dyer from the office of the DC Mayor, Major General Vance Coleman, Vermont Law School Professor Jackie Gardina, Army veteran Austin Rooke, and Reverend and Command Master Chief Jennifer Paty. Each were just awesome. It's no small feat to get hundreds of people to listen to your speech as it starts to pour down rain. Thank all of you readers who joined us on Capitol Hill last week! It's one of the greatest joys of my job to see citizens engaging with the democratic process on a personal level. Those of you who weren't able to be with us in DC last week, I hope to see you out here next time! -Jill Raney -----

03-14-08