Friday December 30, 2005 SGN.org |
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Volume 33 Issue 52 |
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Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009
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Servicemembers Legal Defense Network saved a record three dozen military careers in 2005 from discharge under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' |
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| Servicemembers Legal Defense Network saved a record three dozen military careers in 2005 from discharge under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' | ||
| Organization answers 900 calls for help,
saves 6 Retirements
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) announced that it intervened to save three dozen military careers in 2005. The 36 include 6 service members whose retirement benefits, worth up to $1 million, were threatened. By the end of the year, SLDN estimates it will have answered 900 calls for assistance. "SLDN is fighting alongside Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender patriots who are answering our nation's call to service," said SLDN executive director C. Dixon Osburn. "LGBT service members demonstrate that they simply want to be able to serve our country without being discriminated against for who they are. We salute these patriots who fought so hard for their careers. Our country, and our armed forces, would be best served by keeping every qualified American who wants to serve on the job, regardless of sexual orientation." Earlier this year SLDN attorneys assisted a sailor who fought allegations that could have resulted in a jail sentence and expulsion from the U.S. Navy. With SLDN's help, the sailor obtained more than 15 statements from members of his chain of command that unequivocally supported the sailor. Each said they would serve with him anytime and anywhere, regardless of his sexual orientation. Ultimately, the Navy agreed. The sailor, after learning his Navy career had been saved, called SLDN to say he had "never had a better day." He remains on duty today. The SLDN legal team - two attorneys and a paralegal - maintained an average open case load of 110 cases throughout 2005. The organization also pressed forward in its constitutional challenge to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Oral arguments in Cook v. Rumsfeld, SLDN's constitutional challenge to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," were held in Boston in July. SLDN also helped to garner the support of more than 100 Members of Congress for the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill introduced this year to repeal the military's Gay ban. "Not since 1993," the Boston Phoenix recently reported, "has the Gays-in-the-military debate garnered this much attention." Since 1993, SLDN has provided free, confidential legal counsel to more than 7000 men and women. For more information on the organization's work, visit www.sldn.org. An SLDN press release |
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International Readers |
 
It's new!A blog created by the SGN staff so you can be heard |
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"Putting on the Ritz |
The Beauty of Freedom through |
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