Latest News
Former SLDN Attorney Receives Cardozo School of Law Alumni Award for DADT Repeal Work
For immediate release: Thursday, February 23, 2012
Contact: Zeke Stokes at (202) 621-5406 or zeke@sldn.org
(Washington, D.C.) It was announced today that former SLDN Government Affairs Co-director Emily Tisch Sussman is this year's Gates Award recipient, given annually by OUTLaw, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) association of students and alumni of the Cardozo School of Law. Chosen by OUTLaw members, alumni, and the Cardozo faculty and staff, the award is named for the late E. Nathaniel Gates and recognizes a Cardozo graduate who has benefited the LGBT community, either through direct support of LGBT causes, or by living openly and successfully as a role model for others. Sussman, who is straight, was a key figure in the 2010 fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) and monitor its implementation before joining Young Democrats of America as executive director early this year.
"It was a great honor to work alongside the brave men and women of our armed forces, as well as leaders on Capitol Hill, at the Pentagon, and at the White House to secure this monumental civil rights victory for our nation. And while we know our work to achieve full equality in our military is not over, I'm especially proud to be recognized by my alma mater for this distinguished honor," said Sussman, 29, who accepted the award at a ceremony held in New York City tonight.
"Emily Tisch Sussman embodies everything Cardozo has taught us that lawyers should be: passionate, brave, committed, and charitable," said Jordan Hook, a 2013 J.D. candidate at Cardozo, who serves as the chair of the OUTLaw Gates Award Committee.
SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis delivered the event's keynote address, telling students, faculty and community leaders in attendance that Sussman's commitment, passion, and infectious energy moved the ball forward on repeal at times when its fate was in doubt.
"Emily saw a wrong, and she wanted to right it. She saw injustice, and she wanted to fight it. She saw discrimination, and she wanted to end it. She was a forceful advocate for gay and lesbian service members, who were fighting for our country, but who were not free to say to their country who they were. No member of Congress or their staffs could avoid Emily if they were on her target list. What was true on the Hill was also true at the White House and at the Pentagon," Sarvis said.
In her role, Sussman was responsible for building support among decision makers and the public for a bill to repeal the discriminatory DADT law, which had been in place since 1993. Ultimately, the victory was won in the waning days of the 2010 lame-duck session of Congress, and President Barack Obama signed the bill on December 22, 2010.
"If you join this kind of fray the way Emily Sussman did, you have to prepare yourself well," Sarvis told the students. "Cardozo Law School started you on the way, and whatever you undertake, you will only succeed if you show up. Show up prepared to work harder than your colleagues and opponents. If you do that, you will not only make Professor Gates and Emily proud, you will make your country better."
To read the full text of Sarvis's remarks, click here.
###
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.
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.
