'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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