News Archive
LGBT Veterans Speak Out
We are not free to serve openly. An LGBT person must serve their country in silence, in fear of being outed or dismissed because of overt discrimination. Listen up as Equality Arizona Radio interviews Rear Admiral of the U.S. Coast Guard Alan Steinman, who came out publicly on the 10th anniversary of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and became the most senior military officer to self-identify as gay, and veteran Dennis Stout, a member of Veterans for Peace and co-host of "About Face." ...Read More
Election Brings Long Legislative Wish List
Regarding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Obama recently said he wants to work with military leaders to build a consensus on removing the ban so gays can serve openly. A leader of the campaign against the ban, Aubrey Sarvis of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, said such a deliberate approach seemed sensible - as long as it produced an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" before the next congressional elections in 2010.
...Read More“Lift the Ban” Reception and Concert
On Saturday, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network will host a reception and concert in Chicago, featuring former Army Sgt. Darren Manzella, SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis, former Army Sgt. Jose Zuniga, former Marine Sgt. Marquell Smith, and other Chicagoans who also lost their freedom to serve in the armed forces under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." ...Read More
What Can We Expect from an Obama Administration?
Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), said he feels optimistic about the prospect of overturning "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" under the Obama administration, but he said as a result of lessons learned during the Clinton years SLDN plans to hold off on pressuring the White House to take action. Clinton pushed early on in his first term for repeal of the military's ban on gay service members, but he faced intense opposition from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and members of Congress. Ultimately the White House, the Joint Chiefs and Congress settled on the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy as a compromise, but discharges have continued. ...Read More
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Effort to Break New Ground in Texas
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is taking its effort to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to Texas, where it will meet with local supporters, host events and do a two-day media blitz in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the first time. ...Read More
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Criticizes Retired General Merrill McPeak
WASHINGTON, D.C. - SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis criticized retired Air Force General Merrill McPeak's recommendation to keep the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that prohibits individuals from serving openly in the military based on sexual orientation. ...Read More
