(Washington, D.C.) Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) will sponsor the upcoming Armed Forces Leadership Summit, taking place in Las Vegas October 13 — 16 , and provide expert participants for a number of discussion panels on issues ranging from the importance of effective leaders to the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) and the work still to do in the areas of family support and benefit parity for legally married gay and lesbian service members. The Summit, a first of its kind, is organized by OutServe, the network of currently serving LGBT military personnel that emerged in 2010 as a player in the fight to repeal DADT and was recently featured in the HBO documentary film, "The Strange History of Don't Ask, Don't Tell," alongside SLDN and other allies in the movement to repeal the discriminatory law.
"SLDN is honored to participate in this historic gathering of service members representing more than 60,000 LGBT patriots now serving in our nation's military. We honor their service and sacrifice — as well as so many who served in silence before them," said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.
Sarvis, as well as SLDN Board of Directors Co-Chair Zoe Dunning and SLDN Legal Director David McKean, will be featured on various panels during the conference outlining post-DADT repeal challenges for LGBT service members.
"With the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' behind us, it's time to take the next steps for equality, including an executive order from President Obama that would prohibit discrimination in the ranks on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity," said Sarvis.
SLDN has called on President Barack Obama to issue such an order, creating an avenue for recourse outside the chain of command if service members experience discrimination or harassment and has launched a petition at www.change.org encouraging supporters to join the call. To view the petition, click here.
Family support and benefit parity for legally married service members remains a top priority for SLDN and will be addressed in a panel at the Summit that includes Sarvis, as well as Jeffrey Correa of Freedom to Marry, Fred Sainz of Human Rights Campaign, and Arisha Hatch of Courage Campaign.
"There is no legal justification for treating legally married gay and lesbian service members differently than their straight, married counterparts, and SLDN is focused on correcting this area of lingering inequity," said Sarvis.
Panels featuring representatives of SLDN include:
Saturday, October 15, 2011
9:30 a.m. Partner and Family Benefits: What You Should Know
David McKean, SLDN Legal Director
9:30 a.m. Being "Out" and In: Leading From the Front
Zoe Dunning, Co-Chair, SLDN Board of Directors
11:00 a.m. Service Members and the Freedom to Marry
Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN Executive Director
2:30 p.m. Transgender Service: Current Issues and Policy
David McKean, SLDN Legal Director
2:30 p.m. The Death of DADT and the Path Forward
Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN Executive Director
For a complete listing of events, panels, and participants, click here.
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SLDN FREE HOTLINE: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. SLDN's Freedom to Serve: The Definitive Guide to LGBT Military Service, may be found here.