( WASHINGTON ) February 4, 2016 — OutServe-SLDN's Board of Directors takes great pride in announcing today that Matt Thorn has been hired to serve as our Executive Director on a permanent basis. Thorn has held the position of Interim Executive Director since February 2015.
"Over the past year Matt has demonstrated incredible commitment to the interests of our members and stakeholders. OutServe-SLDN has seen substantive forward progress for key initiatives and policies that matter most to the LGBT military community. We could not be more pleased with the performance of Matt as our interim Executive Director. The board is pleased to bring him on in a permanent capacity," said John Gillespie, OutServe-SLDN Co-Chair. "His demonstrated track record in advocacy, social activism, and nonprofit management has and will continue to serve OutServe-SLDN well. The Board is confident that Matt will continue to achieve great things in the role of Executive Director."
"Matt has reaffirmed the vital role Outserve-SLDN plays in the welfare of our community. His persistence, compassion and service has translated into real progress over the last year, more than I think many expected," said Jeff Mueller, OutServe-SLDN co-chair. "We remain confident that Matt's deep commitment to equality and justice will be a vital asset to our organization as we navigate a post 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military culture."
For the past decade, Thorn has worked in a diversity of areas, including advocacy for the homeless, the arts, education and the developmentally challenged. Through these experiences, he gained invaluable insights into the political and electoral framework that drives LGBT policy making. As an LGBT advocate, Thorn has served in leadership positions and on boards for local, statewide and national LGBT organizations. He served as a Co-Chair for the National Conference on Creating Change in 2012 and is a member of the Victory Fund's Campaign Board.
Reactions from Movement and Political Leaders
"Outserve-SLDN has been an invaluable partner in working to promote the Restore Honor to Service Members Act, and Matt's leadership in the organization gives me confidence that we will continue making progress to ensure all veterans receive the recognition and benefits they deserve. I look forward to working with Matt in his new role as we fight to improve the lives of LGBT military personnel and veterans."
-United States Representative Mark Pocan
"As we continue to navigate a post marriage equality and "Don't Ask Don't Tell" movement, OutServe-SLDN, has selected a smart and strategic next generation leader. I have had the privilege of working with Matt as a member of the Victory Fund Campaign Board. Matt's resolve, compassion and unyielding drive to advocate, represent and lead in our LGBT movement is what will continue to make him successful as Executive Director of OutServe-SLDN. I look forward to working with Matt and watching how he will serve the LGBT movement and the LGBT military community."
-Aisha Moodie-Mills, President and CEO Victory Fund
"Even though we have had tremendous success these past few years from Repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell through the repeal of section 3 of DOMA and our victory winning marriage equality nationwide. But the work is not done. From he lack of protections on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation in over 30 states to the still continuous discrimination of those who are HIV+. At the National Center for Lesbian Rights we have had as strong relationship with OutServe-SLDN and that is why I am thrilled that they are announcing Matt Thorn as their Executive Director. I know that Matt will be a champion for the issues our community and particularly the LGBT military community still face. OutServe-SLDN has selected a young, passionate, charismatic and dedicated individual in Matt and I look forward to working with him to continue to move our movement forward."
-Kate Kendell, Executive Director National Center for Lesbian Rights
"Matt Thorn has been a tireless and true advocate and ally, in particular for Trans persons and Trans service. We are very pleased with his appointment as executive director and look forward to his continued leadership."
—Sharon Brackett, Board Chair, Gender Rights Maryland -
"Over the years, as a candidate for local office and as his friend, I have had the privilege of getting to know Matt. I have witnessed firsthand the passion, diligence, and kindness with which he tackles life. He is an expert fundraiser, crafting messages and strategies that produce results, and a wise advisor. I have come to know Matt as a proven leader with excellent instincts and I have no doubt he will build upon OutServe-SLDN's legacy as the leader of the LGBT military community and an influencer in the broader LGBT movement."
-Courtney Snowden, Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Development, Washington, DC
"Outserve-SLDN plays a critical role for LGBTQ service members and veterans and I am thrilled to learn Matt will be leading the organization at this critical moment. I'm confident he will successfully support the work being done to enact open transgender service and will ensure that transgender veterans, and all LGBTQ service members and veterans, are treated fairly and equally. Whether as the former Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore or as the interim director of Outserve-SLDN, Matt has a demonstrated track record of effective leadership and I'm confident he will continue to lead the way as the Executive Director of Outserve-SLDN."
-Sasha Buchert, Staff Attorney, Transgender Law Center
"We congratulate Matt Thorn on his new leadership role with OutServe-SLDN. We had the pleasure of working with him when he served as chapter president of PFLAG Howard County in Maryland, and we look forward to our continued work with him—and OutServe-SLDN—in the future."
-Beth Kohn, Interim Executive Director, PFLAG National
I am pleased at the announcement of Matt as the executive director! He is a great person to fight for the rights and protection of our LGBT service members!
-Steve Snyder-Hill, Author: Soldier of Change, Army Veteran
"As the Co-Chairs of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund's Victory Campaign Board, we congratulate and are thrilled with the appointment of our good friend and colleague Matt Thorn as the Executive Director of OutServe-SDLN. Matt's dedicated service and leadership as chair of the Victory Campaign Board Engagement Committee and a member of the VCB Leadership Team has been instrumental in moving forward the mission of Victory Fund. We know that Matt's talent, vision and skills will advance the lives and opportunities for our LGBT military community and veterans."
-Mona Smith & Daniel Penchina, Co-Chairs of the Victory Campaign Board of the Victory Fund
OutServe-SLDN ( OS-SLDN ) is the largest non-profit, legal services, advocacy 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. With more than fifty chapters and 60,000 subscribers around the world, OS-SLDN supports a professional network of LGBT military personnel and strives to create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-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. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org .