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SLDN Statement on Ninth Circuit Court Order on DADT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 11, 2011
Zeke Stokes: (803) 479-0439 (cell) / (202) 621-5406 (office) or zeke@sldn.org
Paul DeMiglio: (202) 621-5408 (office) or paul@sldn.org

SLDN Statement on Ninth Circuit Court Order on DADT
Sarvis: Service members need clarity and finality as we move toward final stages of certification and repeal

(Washington, DC) Army Veteran and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis issued the following in response to the order released today by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which instructs the government to declare within ten days whether or not it will defend the constitutionality of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).

“The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is correctly pressing the Department of Justice and Department of Defense on whether or not they intend to defend the constitutionality of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ It is our hope they will not continue to do so, and we will soon have finality with certification and repeal.”

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STILL AT RISK: Despite the President signing the bill authorizing repeal of DADT, it is still unsafe for service members to come out until 60 days after certification by President Obama, Secretary Panetta, and Admiral Mullen. 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: 202-328-3244 x100.

ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) was established in 1993 when “Don’t Ask” originally passed. In addition to working on repeal, SLDN offers free, confidential legal services to those impacted by the discriminatory law. Last year the organization received its 10,000th call for assistance to its legal hotline.

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