Active duty military members, now free to attend in uniform without repercussions, were a large and visual part of the approximately 900 attending the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) annual dinner in Washington, D.C., March 3.
"History in the Making" was the first national dinner after repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT). SLDN was originally created in response to DADT becoming law, and the dinner was the group's 20th.
In the impressive venue of the National Building Museum, Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to President Obama, delivered the keynote address.
She spoke of Obama's support of the repeal of DADT.
"From the day he took office, the president was unwavering in his commitment to repeal of DADT," she said. "In a speech shortly after taking office, he made it clear that, 'We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve their country.'
"And throughout that time, the President's team worked tirelessly with groups such as SLDN, with our military, with members of Congress—building a coalition that could get the job done. Because repealing DADT was not just about changing the law, but about creating an atmosphere of tolerance for one another."
She went on to say, "Perhaps the most remarkable thing about what we have achieved together is that after just a few months, it already appears so unremarkable.
"I'm sure that all of you have seen some of the recent pictures of gay and lesbian servicemembers sharing an embrace, or first kiss with a loved one, when they return home from duty—just like any other family. It's a reminder that the men and women of our armed forces have handled repeal with the professionalism and class that we have come to expect from the finest fighting force in the world."
SLDN co-founder Michelle Benecke presented the Barry Winchell Courage Award to the group of plaintiffs in the organization's ongoing lawsuit challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and seeking equal recognition, support and benefits for the partners of active duty military members. The award is named for an infantry soldier murdered by a fellow soldier five years into the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell era. Winchell's parents were on stage for the presentation.
One of the plaintiffs, Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan, spoke for the group of plaintiffs. She is battling battling incurable stage IV breast cancer and is fighting for full military family benefits to be extended to her spouse and children. She said that the families of gay and lesbian servicemembers face the same burdens and worries as the families of all military members and should not be denied the same support.
Recently deceased Frank Kameny (who was in the military before he started his activism) and David Guy Gainer (a recently deceased member of the SLDN board of directors) were remembered at the event.
Retired Army Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer also spoke. She is a highly decorated officer who made news in the 1990s when she answered a security clearance question honestly and thereby challenged the military's ban on homosexuality.
MSNBC openly gay correspondent Thomas Roberts emceed the event.
Photo by Tracy Baim; more online at www.WindyCityMediaGroup.com
