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SLDN, Harriet Hancock Center Foundation, SC Equality Partner to Host DADT Repeal Day Celebration

For immediate release:
Monday, September 12, 2011

Contact:
Zeke Stokes (SLDN): 202.834.9048 cell / 202.621.5406 office or zeke@sldn.org
Ryan Wilson (HHC): 410.459.4670 cell or prideinSC@yahoo.com
Christine Johnson (SC Equality): 803.546.9035 or Christine@scequality.org

SLDN, Harriet Hancock Center Foundation, SC Equality Partner to Host “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Day Celebration in Columbia on September 20
Events at Memorial Park and BLUE Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge will coincide with law’s end

(Columbia, SC) Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), the Harriet Hancock Center Foundation, and South Carolina Equality today announced the details for Columbia’s official “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) Repeal Day celebration to take place when the law officially expires on September 20, 2011.

“The repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is an important milestone along the journey to achieving LGBT equality in America’s military. September 20 will be an historic day for our service members and, indeed, our nation. Through the events taking place across the country, we will pay tribute to their service and sacrifice as we look forward to this new era of military service – an era that honors the contributions of all qualified Americans who wish to serve,” said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.

“We have always been proud of those men and women who have prioritized service of Country above all else, and now celebrate that for lesbian and gay service members, they may now serve openly and proudly without sacrificing their careers. We also celebrate for the partners and families of those lesbian and gay service-members, that they may now have the support that has been offered to all service-member families," said SC Equality Executive Director Christine Johnson.

Ryan Wilson, President of the Harriet Hancock Center Foundation, said: “The Center, with its proximity to Fort Jackson, has long been a resource for LGBT patriots serving our nation. We are proud to join them now in celebrating this day that allows them to serve us openly and with a new level of integrity and honor. It’s a great day for South Carolina and for our nation.”

What:

Columbia’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Celebration

Hosted by:

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
Harriet Hancock Center Foundation
South Carolina Equality

When and Where:

Tuesday, September 20, 2011
7:00 p.m. Vigil at Memorial Park
Corner of Gadsden & Hampton Streets
Columbia, SC

8:00 p.m. Red, White & BLUE Celebration
BLUE Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge
721 Lady Street, Suite A
Columbia, SC

Admission is free. The media is invited to attend and cover the event.

A flagship event is scheduled in Washington D.C., accompanied by supporter-created events throughout the country. An online tool kit that supporters may use to manage their events is found at www.sldn.org/HostResources.

Sarvis reiterated that SLDN will continue its fight for full equality for LGB troops who are serving today, as well as for those qualified Americans who wish to join, after the repeal of DADT takes place on September 20, 2011.

“The work of advancing military equality marches forward after repeal. At SLDN, we will fight alongside those who may face harassment or discrimination as we oversee implementation; when necessary and timely, litigate in the courts to bring about full LGBT equality in America’s military; advocate for legally married service members to receive the same benefits as their straight counterparts; and assist veterans to correct or upgrade their discharge paperwork,” said Sarvis.

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STILL AT RISK: Despite the certification issued July 22, 2011, it is still unsafe for service members to come out until September 20, 2011, when repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will become final. Click here to read our warning to service members.

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.

ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) was established in 1993. In addition to working on repeal, SLDN offers free, confidential legal services to those impacted by the discriminatory law. We have received more than 11,000 calls for assistance to our legal hotline.

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