Latest News
SLDN Statement on Prop 8 Ruling
For immediate release: Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Contact: Zeke Stokes at 202.621.5406 or zeke@sldn.org
(Washington, D.C.) Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis released the following statement regarding today's ruling on Proposition 8 by the Ninth Circuit:
"SLDN welcomes today's important ruling by the Ninth Circuit affirming the lower court decision that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional; indeed, fairness and equality have carried the day. This is an historic win for supporters of full equality in the military and in our country," said Sarvis.
In a 2-1 decision authored by Judge Reinhardt, the court agreed that Proposition 8's only purpose in denying gay and lesbian Californians the freedom to marry is anti-gay animus. Proponents of Prop 8 are likely to try to appeal the decision, either to be considered by a larger panel of the Ninth Circuit or for review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
###
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 SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination.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.
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.
