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Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Hosts Forum in First Presidential Debate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2008
CONTACT: Paul DeMiglio
(202) 621-5408, ext. 123/pdemiglio@sldn.org
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Hosts Forum in First Presidential Debate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Former service member Darren Manzella joined SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis and Retired Rear Admiral James ("Jamie") Barnett at two events that took place at The University of Mississippi in advance of the Sept. 26 Presidential Debate. Manzella, Sarvis and Admiral Barnett were featured speakers at both the Town Hall Forum, hosted by the university's Gay Straight Alliance, and the subsequent workshop, hosted by SLDN.
"The forum and workshop were excellent opportunities to educate the public about the failure of ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and ensure that this important issue remains part of the national debate in this year's election," Sarvis said. "Voters need to understand how this ban has undermined our military's readiness at a critical time of war. More than 12,500 well-qualified service members have been fired under this bad law while our military is already stretched too thin and the need for an effective fighting force grows greater by the day."
The Sept. 24 Town Hall Forum featured speakers from various lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations around the country who addressed issues impacting the LGBT community in relation to the election.
The Sept. 25 workshop, meanwhile, focused on upcoming legislative opportunities to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Sarvis explained how the reshaped political landscape following the 2008 Election will provide renewed momentum in the ongoing fight to lift the ban. Manzella discussed his personal experience as a former Army Sergeant who served under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and Admiral Barnett shared insights on how this failed policy severely undermines U.S. military readiness and recruitment.
Admiral Barnett has written op-ed columns that have appeared in The Washington Post and most recently in The Daily Mississippian. To read Sarvis' latest blog on The Huffington Post.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and related forms of intolerance. For more information, visit www.sldn.org. A "Guide to ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' " for journalists is available at http://sldn.3cdn.net/43b1d9fec919b5918b_1zm6bxv9l.pdf.
