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ADVISORY: National LGBT Leaders in West Hollywood Saturday
Sarvis will be joined by Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, USAF (Ret.) to address post-DADT repeal challenges
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Contact:
Zeke Stokes (SLDN): 202.621.5406 or zeke@sldn.org
(West Hollywood, CA) Army Veteran and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis will be one of two featured speakers Saturday in West Hollywood, CA, as local supporters of LGBT equality in the military gather for a fundraising reception. He will speak about the recent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT), as well as the ongoing work of SLDN to address remaining issues of LGBT equality in the U.S. military. SLDN will be holding its annual fall board of directors meeting in West Hollywood, Friday through Sunday.
Sarvis will be joined by Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, who recently retired from the U.S. Air Force following a two-year legal fight led by SLDN on his behalf to prevent his discharge under DADT. For more on Lt. Col. Fehrenbach, click here.
“With the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ behind us, it’s time to take the next steps for equality, including providing equal recognition, benefits, and family support for legally married gay and lesbian service members,” said Sarvis.
Last week, SLDN filed a constitutional challenge in federal court in order to secure equal benefits, recognition, and family support for all military families.
“We are not advocating any special treatment for the families of gay and lesbian service members or veterans, but we want to underscore that all military families should be treated the same when it comes to recognition, benefits and family support,” said Sarvis.
WHAT: Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis and Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach address West Hollywood Event
WHEN: Saturday, November 5, 2011: 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Home of John Bowab, Address provided upon RSVP
MEDIA RSVP: RSVP (to Zeke Stokes at zeke@sldn.org) is required. Sarvis and Fehrenbach are available for one-on-one interviews with media outlets unable to attend the reception.
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ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. Since 1993, our in-house legal team has responded to more than 11,000 requests for assistance. To learn more, click here.
SLDN FREE HOTLINE: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. SLDN’s Freedom to Serve: The Definitive Guide to LGBT Military Service, may be found here.
