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Navy Linguist Jason Knight Joins SLDN in Campaign to Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

Washington, DC - Former Naval Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Knight, a linguist who served openly during two enlistments in the Navy, will join Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) in working for repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel, the organization announced today. Knight's story has captured widespread media attention in recent weeks after he initially told about his experience, of serving openly during a 10-month deployment to Kuwait, to the military newspaper Stars & Stripes. He will join SLDN as an exclusive member of the group's national speakers' bureau, will be featured in the SLDN national ad campaign, and will kick-off his work with the organization during a June 5th visit to Washington, D.C., to meet with Congressional staff and SLDN supporters.

"We are enormously proud to have a passionate advocate like Jason joining us in our outreach, education and media campaigns," said Steve Ralls, director of communications for SLDN. "Jason's experience obliterates the notion that lesbian and gay Americans cannot serve openly while making a positive impact on our armed forces. We look forward to working with Jason to continue telling his story. He is a powerful advocate for repeal whose story shows just how absurd and unnecessary this law really is."

Knight will kick off his work with SLDN next week in Washington, where he will speak with Congressional staffers during the afternoon of June 5th and then keynote an SLDN reception at the National Women's Democratic Club. (Tickets for the event are available online at www.sldn.org/events.) He will also begin appearing in SLDN's "Lift the Ban" national advertising campaign, which features service members and veterans impacted by the law. Knight will also travel throughout the year, as part of SLDN's national speakers' bureau, to talk about his experience serving openly and the need to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

"I am thrilled to be joining Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in their work to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Knight said. "I loved my time in the Navy, and was honored to serve my country. Now, I am called to service in a new way, speaking on behalf of those silenced by this un-American law and working on behalf of the freedom to serve."

More information on Knight's story, and the June 5 event in Washington, can be found online at www.sldn.org.

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