Latest News

University of Richmond Law School Panel to Discuss DADT Repeal

CONTACT: Paul DeMiglio
(202) 621-5409, ext. 116
pdemiglio@sldn.org

University of Richmond Law School Panel to Discuss Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Law
Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Richmond to Speak

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) announced that it will participate in an interactive speakers' panel at The University of Richmond Law School to discuss the federal law known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), which bans gay and lesbian people from serving openly in the military. In recent weeks national media attention surrounding DADT repeal efforts has grown, as President Obama reiterated his support for lifting this discriminatory ban. Seismic shifts in popular opinion over the last 15 years as well as renewed political momentum for repeal show that lifting the ban on open service for gays and lesbians is doable in 2009.

WHAT: A speakers' panel at The University of Richmond Law School to discuss the personal impact of the DADT ban on service members, legal challenges to those who are forced to serve under this discriminatory law and legal strategies for repeal. Each panelist will speak for 15-30 minutes, followed by a Q&A session and closing reception.

PANELISTS:
• Tracy Thorne-Begland, Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Richmond, will discuss his story of discharge under DADT after speaking against the ban on the show Nightline in the early 1990s.
• Aaron Tax, Managing Attorney for SLDN, will discuss the legal challenges faced by those forced to serve in silence under the ban, legal strategies for repeal as well as the future of DADT.

WHY: Since the DADT law was established in 1993, over 12,500 men and women have been discharged because of their sexual orientation. According to a 2007 report by the Williams Institute, DADT has also discouraged nearly 45,000 Americans from joining and remaining in the armed forces.

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2009

WHERE: University of Richmond Law School - Moot Courtroom

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. A "Guide to ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' " for journalists is available by clicking here.

Click here to read the original article.