'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Experts Available for Post-Debate Analysis of Candidates' Positions on Military Ban

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Experts Available for Post-Debate Analysis of Candidates' Positions on Military Ban

Historic Presidential Forum To Include Candidates' Views On Open Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network:

Who: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) spokesman
Steve Ralls will be available for media commentary and analysis
of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" following tonight's Los Angeles
presidential forum on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
issues. Other SLDN spokespeople, including military veterans
impacted by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," will also be available to
offer commentary.

What: Six Democratic presidential candidates will address LGBT
community issues and concerns, including the military's ban
on open service, during a 2-hour forum broadcast on LOGO
television, beginning at 9pm EDT.

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), former Senator John
Edwards, former Senator Mike Gravel (D-AK), Congressman Dennis
Kucinich (D-OH), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and Governor Bill
Richardson (D-NM) are scheduled to field questions related to
topics submitted by members of the LGBT community.

Why: Since 1993, more than 11,000 men and women have been dismissed
under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," including nearly 800 troops with
skills deemed 'mission-critical' by the Department of Defense.
At least 322 of those discharged were language experts,
including 59 Arabic linguists. Congress is currently
considering legislation to repeal the law; 131 bi-partisan
lawmakers support the repeal bill.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is the leading national
advocacy organization dedicated to repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't
Tell." SLDN has provided legal assistance to more than 8,000
service members and is a recognized expert on the military's
ban on open service.

Contact: Steve Ralls, Director of Communications
(202) 328-3244, ext. 116 / sralls@sldn.org

Victor Maldonado, Communications Associate
(202) 328-3244, ext. 123 / vmaldonado@sldn.org

For more information on SLDN and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," visit

http://www.sldn.org/.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and related forms of intolerance. For more information, visit http://www.sldn.org/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

CONTACT: Steve Ralls of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network,
+1-202-328-3244, ext. 116, sralls@sldn.org

Web Site:

http://www.sldn.org/

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