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SLDN Announces Twentieth Annual National Dinner Details
Thomas Roberts, MSNBC Anchor, will Emcee Historic Post-Repeal Event to Kickoff Year-long Anniversary Campaign
For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Contact:
Zeke Stokes: 202.621.5406 or zeke@sldn.org
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today announced that MSNBC Anchor Thomas Roberts will serve as Master of Ceremonies for its Twentieth Annual National Dinner to take place at The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, March 3, 2012. The first SLDN national dinner since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) last September, the event will mark the kickoff of a year-long celebration of the organization's twentieth year of service to the nation's LGBT service members. SLDN was founded in 1993, shortly after the passage of the discriminatory DADT law.
"This is an exciting time to be an advocate for full LGBT equality in the military. While we celebrate the historic accomplishment of repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' we are reminded that there is still a great deal of work to do before we reach the day when every qualified patriot who wishes to serve can do so equally," said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis. "SLDN's annual dinner is a tradition - a time to honor our achievements and those who made them so - but also a clarion call to all who believe in full equality to stay in the fight until the job is done."
In October 2011 shortly following repeal of DADT, SLDN filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of legally married gay and lesbian service members and veterans seeking the same recognition, support, and benefits for their families that their straight, married peers receive. The suit challenges the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) and three titles in U.S. code that preclude equal benefits for married LGB service members. The case - and the sixteen plaintiffs - will be a centerpiece of the Twentieth Annual National Dinner.
"We've been serving our country too long, working too hard, and sacrificing too much to see our families denied the same rights and recognition as our straight, married counterparts," said lead plaintiff, Major Shannon McLaughlin of the Massachusetts National Guard. McLaughlin and her spouse, Casey, are the parents of one-year-old twins, Grace and Grant.
Roberts, an accomplished and award winning journalist who currently serves as a news anchor for MSNBC Live on weekdays at 11 a.m. EST, was tapped by SLDN to serve as emcee for his demonstrated commitment to equality in the military.
"Through ongoing coverage of issues affecting LGBT service members, Thomas Roberts and MSNBC have helped to shine a light on the remaining inequalities for LGBT service members following the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' We are pleased that he is able to join us for this historic celebration," said Sarvis.
In addition to anchoring MSNBC, Roberts serves as a fill-in host on MSNBC's First Look and NBC's The Today Show. Prior to joining NBC networks, he was a correspondent for CBS News, Entertainment Tonight, and The Insider, as well as an anchor for CNN Headline News. He has received Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards for his reporting and has been honored for his work as an advocate in the LGBT community, including the prestigious Visibility Award from the Human Rights Campaign.
The event begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception, followed by dinner at 7:45 p.m. To purchase tickets or get more information about the event, please visit www.sldn.org/Dinner2012. Media interested in covering the event may RSVP to Zeke Stokes at zeke@sldn.org.
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. To learn more, visit www.sldn.org.
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.
