About SLDN: Awards & Recognition

Founded in 1993, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has become a widely regarded expert on the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on open service and other policies and issues impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members, including anti-gay harassment, issues impacting service members living with HIV/AIDS, regulations regarding transgender service personnel and policies and laws impacting same-sex military families. SLDN has answered more than 7,600 requests for assistance and effected more than three dozen changes in Pentagon policy.

SLDN has been recognized as ‘Organization of the Year’ by the Tom Homann Law Association, the Arizona Human Rights Foundation, the District of Columbia Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the International Lesbian & Gay Museum of History and the Vermont School of Law.

The organization’s reports and publications on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” have been widely quoted and praised by the media, policy makers and activists. The Boston Globe’s Tom Oliphant, writing about SLDN’s Conduct Unbecoming report on the law, noted that “There has been a detailed report of what's really going on . . . Naturally, it doesn't come from the Pentagon. Instead, it comes from . . . Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.” The Nation magazine has said that “It is amazing what this small, legal aid organization has accomplished already.” And activist and journalist Mike Rogers has said SLDN “runs the most effective communications shop in Washington.” The organization’s 2005 annual report was awarded two MarCom Awards for excellence in non-profit reports.

In 2005, Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA) noted in the Congressional record that “I am confident that SLDN’s hard work will soon lead to the demise of the discriminatory and counterproductive ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy.” Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy, USA (Ret.), has said that because of SLDN’s “courage and leadership, many service members have been given the respectful treatment they deserve.”

Speaking in 2005, Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun noted that “SLDN deals with real-life challenges faced by real people whose service ought to be respected by our national defense organizations, but who instead too often find themselves the object of harassment, ostracism, discrimination and even violence and murder. (SLDN’s staff) are history makers and (their) efforts will write the next chapter in the story of American progress.”

For more information on SLDN, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).