Legal Issues - LGBT
SLDN provides free legal counseling to all service members with legal issues stemming from or related to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law banning military service by lesbian, gay and bisexual persons, the regulations governing military service by HIV+ people, and the regulations addressing military service by transgender persons.
Individuals with issues other than those described above fall outside the scope of our legal services. You may wish to contact the legal assistance office at the nearest base or the personnel headquarters for assistance. You may also want to contact the local or state bar association (they may be able to make a referral to a suitable attorney) at http://www.abanet.org/barserv/stlobar.html, or the National Institute for Military Justice at http://www.nimj.com.
Contact an Attorney
To schedule a phone consultation with an attorney, use our website form, or please call 202-328-3244 x 100 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Recent DoD changes to DADT
The Department of Defense has issued changes to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," learn more on how these changes will affect you.
SLDN's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Survival Guide
SLDN's Survival Guide is the most comprehensive resource available for service members, their families and friends regarding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and related forms of discrimination. Service members should be aware of what the law says, their rights and what to do if you are investigated for a suspected violation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Learn more in the Survival Guide.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" In the Courts
Learn about SLDN's work in the courts challenging the constitutionality of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on openly lesbian, gay and bisexual military personnel.
Transgender Issues and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Although "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" does not target service members on the basis of gender identity, the law adversely impacts all members of the military. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law is sexual orientation specific and therefore does not prohibit transgender persons from serving in the military unless the transgender service member also identifies as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Oftentimes, however, gender non-conforming service members are perceived as lesbian or gay and therefore may be impacted by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in one way or another.
HIV/AIDS and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
HIV-positive individuals serve under a variety of regulatory restrictions, and because HIV-positive persons are sometimes presumed to be gay or bisexual, HIV-positive individuals may face issues related to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Learn more in the HIV Issues section of SLDN’s Survival Guide.
Other "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Issues
Veterans, partners and family of service members, and others connected to the military who are not currently serving may face issues related to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. Learn more about these issues in the Survival Guide.
