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Award-Winning Newsmagazine ‘In the Life’ Kicks Off New Season w/In-Depth Look at Gay Mil. Personnel

WASHINGTON, DC – The award-winning newsmagazine In the Life begins its 15th season in October with an in-depth look at one gay service member’s experience during the war in Iraq. 'A Call to Duty' features former Army Specialist Jeff Howe, who was the target of an investigation into his sexual orientation during his second tour of duty in Iraq. Despite a stellar service record, Howe was dismissed under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel in 2005. More than 11,000 service personnel have been dismissed under the law since 1993.

“Specialist Howe’s story is a vivid reminder of just why ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ doesn’t make sense,” said Sharra E. Greer, director of law and policy for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), which provided legal counsel to Howe during his investigation. “More than 65,000 lesbian and gay Americans are serving today in our armed forces, but are subject, like Howe, to intrusive investigations and inhumane treatment at the hands of our federal government. ‘In the Life’ showcases the awful truth about the gay ban and the need to repeal the prohibition on service once and for all.”

More than 125 service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan have contacted SLDN for help since the war on terror began. In December 2004, the organization filed a constitutional court challenge to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on behalf of twelve veterans who are seeking reinstatement in the armed forces. Congressional legislation to repeal the law is also pending in the House of Representatives, where a bi-partisan coalition of 120 lawmakers support ending the ban on gays in the military.

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