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“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Experts Available for Post-Debate Analysis of Candidates’ Positions
WHO: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) spokesman Steve Ralls will be available for media commentary and analysis of �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� following tonight�s Los Angeles presidential forum on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. Other SLDN spokespeople, including military veterans impacted by �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell,� will also be available to offer commentary.
WHAT:
Six Democratic presidential candidates will address LGBT community
issues and concerns, including the military�s ban on open service,
during a 2-hour forum broadcast on LOGO television, beginning at 9pm
EST.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), former Senator John
Edwards, former Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK), Congressman Dennis Kucinich
(D-OH), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)
are scheduled to field questions related to topics submitted by members
of the LGBT community.
WHY: Since 1993, more than 11,000 men and
women have been dismissed under �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell,� including
nearly 800 troops with skills deemed �mission-critical� by the
Department of Defense. At least 322 of those discharged were language
experts, including 59 Arabic linguists. Congress is currently
considering legislation to repeal the law; 131 bi-partisan lawmakers
support the repeal bill.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is
the leading national advocacy organization dedicated to repeal of
�Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell.� SLDN has provided legal assistance to more
than 8,000 service members and is a recognized expert on the military�s
ban on open service.
CONTACT:
Steve Ralls,
Director of Communications
(202) 328-3244, ext. 116
sralls@sldn.org
Victor Maldonado,
Communications Associate
(202) 328-3244, ext. 123
vmaldonado@sldn.org
For more information on SLDN and �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell,� visit www.sldn.org.
