Press Releases
Aubrey Sarvis Named Executive Director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today named Aubrey Sarvis the organization�s new Executive Director. Sarvis succeeds C. Dixon Osburn, who stepped down in April. Sarvis will officially take on his new leadership role on October 1, 2007. Founded in 1993, SLDN is a national, non-profit policy advocacy, legal services, and watchdog organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and related forms of intolerance. ...Read More
Tucson, Arizona calls on Congress to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
TUCSON, AZ - Mayor Bob Walkup and the Tucson, Arizona City Council have approved a resolution calling on Congress to repeal the military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service personnel. The resolution, which has been forwarded to President George W. Bush and the entire Arizona Congressional delegation, states in part that �Military readiness is enhanced when every qualified, capable American, regardless of sexual orientation, is welcomed into our Armed Forces and has his or her talents utilized in the best interest of our national security.� The Tucson measure follows similar resolutions from Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Saint Louis. ...Read More
Metropolitan Community Churches Call For Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
WASHINGTON, DC - Declaring that �The very forces mobilized not only to defend our country but to establish freedom and justice for all should no longer be allowed to provide refuge for bias, bigotry and injustice,� Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson, moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), has called for repeal of the military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel. MCC is an LGBT-inclusive community of faith with more than 300 churches and 43,000 members around the world. ...Read More
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Experts Available for Post-Debate Analysis of Candidates’ Positions
WHO: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) spokesman Steve Ralls will be available for media commentary and analysis of �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� following tonight�s Los Angeles presidential forum on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. Other SLDN spokespeople, including military veterans impacted by �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell,� will also be available to offer commentary. ...Read More
Democratic Presidential Candidates Pledge to Repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The 2008 Democratic presidential candidates expressed support this evening for repealing the military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), former Senator John Edwards (D-NC), former Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK), Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) have all pledged, either this evening or on the campaign trail, to work for repealing the law and to allow gay troops to serve openly. Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) did not attend the forum in Los Angeles, but have also stated they favor repealing the law. ...Read More
Support for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal Grows in Congress
WASHINGTON, DC - Five new lawmakers, including the highest ranking military veteran in Congress, have joined 126 other lawmakers in supporting legislation to repeal the military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service personnel. Representatives Michael A. Arcuri (D-NY), Brian Baird (D-WA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Sestak (D-PA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA) all became co-sponsors of The Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246) on Friday, bringing the total number of supporters to 131. Sestak is Congress�s highest-ranking veteran, having served 31 years in the United States Navy and retiring as a 3-star Admiral. ...Read More
Joint Chiefs Nominee Indicates It Is Appropriate for Congress to Revisit ‘Don’t Ask, Dont’ Tell’
WASHINGTON, DC - Admiral Michael Mullen, President Bush�s nominee to succeed General Peter Pace as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was questioned about the military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel during a Senate hearing Tuesday. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine queried Mullen on the continued dismissal of gay troops under the ban. While confirming that he would implement the current law, Mullen also told Collins that �I really think it is for the American people to come forward, really through this body, to both debate that policy and make changes, if that's appropriate.� He went on to say that, �I'd love to have Congress make its own decisions� with respect to considering repeal. Mullen�s remarks follow a firestorm of controversy surrounding comments by Pace referring to gay personnel as �immoral� during a March interview with the Chicago Tribune. ...Read More
SLDN Staffers Join Boards of Cancer & Veterans Service Organizations
WASHINGTON, DC - Servicemembers Legal Defense Network interim executive director Kathleen J. DeBold has joined the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons National Advisory Council and SLDN director of law and policy Sharra E. Greer has been elected to the board of directors of the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP), the organization announced today. ...Read More
Unitarian Universalists Call For Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
WASHINGTON, DC - On June 24, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations concluded its annual General Assembly in Portland, OR with passage of a statement calling for repeal of the U.S. Military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. The Action of Immediate Witness, which calls for passage of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), a Congressional bill to repeal the law, was overwhelmingly supported by the 6000 attendees at the conference. ...Read More
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Announces New Board Members
WASHINGTON, DC - Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today announced the election of eight new members to its board of directors. Chicago resident Jean Albright, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, is among those joining the group�s efforts to repeal the military�s �Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell� ban on lesbian gay and bisexual personnel. ...Read More
