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New Media Campaign for DADT Repeal


DADT X390 (PHOTOS.COM) | ADVOCATE.COM

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network launched a new media campaign Monday to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership in the fight to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” this year. Every weekday morning as the markup of the Defense Authorization bill approaches in the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, SLDN and a coalition of pro-repeal voices will share a letter to President Barack Obama from someone impacted by the discriminatory law. The campaign is called, "Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama."

"This is a critical hour as we're very close to reaching the 15 votes needed to include repeal to the Defense Authorization bill," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, in a news release about the new campaign. "We are just two or three votes away and we urge the President to engage now and help us line up key votes still needed to get DADT repealed this year. By people sharing their personal stories on how this terrible law has impacted them, we can send a powerful message to the President and our own community as we build momentum going into this crucial vote."

People are encouraged to visit the campaign page,where they will be able to read the daily letter and take action. Actions including sending a letter to members of Congress, sharing personal stories about DADT, and posting the daily letter to their Facebook and Twitter accounts. A growing list of LGBT blogs is helping to spread the word.

Major Mike Almy of the United States Air Force wrote the first letter for Monday. He describes his discharge after distinguished service in Iraq because e-mail to the man he loved was found on his computer.

“Despite this treatment,” writes Almy, “my greatest desire is still to return to active duty as an officer and leader in the United States Air Force, protecting the freedoms of a nation that I love; freedoms that I myself was not allowed to enjoy while serving in the military.”

Read the letter here.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: scott
    Date posted: 4/26/2010 11:42:43 PM
    Hometown: boise

    Comment:

    hate to break it to your gar but randomhouse disagrees with you. –verb (used with object) 6.to drive or press closely or firmly into something; pack in. 7.to fill up; congest; throng: A vast crowd impacted St. Peter's Square. 8.to collide with; strike forcefully: a rocket designed to impact the planet Mars. 9.to have an impact or effect on; influence; alter: The decision may impact your whole career. The auto industry will be impacted by the new labor agreements. –verb (used without object) 10.to have impact or make contact forcefully: The ball impacted against the bat with a loud noise. 11.to have an impact or effect: Increased demand will impact on sales.

  • Name: Gar Compton
    Date posted: 4/26/2010 2:47:41 PM
    Hometown: Los Angeles, California

    Comment:

    Dear Julie Bolcer (writer of the article); Please! "Impact" is NOT A VERB!

  • Name: Scott
    Date posted: 4/26/2010 2:26:46 PM
    Hometown: Portland

    Comment:

    This is a good idea. I think it puts real people in the position to be heard. Also I think that the VA or some government branch needs to start taking responsibility for the trauma and damage that has been done to our brothers and sisters. Personally, I was arrested, handcuffed and locked up for 30 days for being gay by the Navy. This left me with real anger issues that I still deal with, I asked to va for help and was rejected. I often think about how my life would have been different had i been heterosexual. Each and every life that was turned upside down by this discrimination is one too many. Not only the emotional trauma but financial as well, how many service people could afford to be fired on the spot and then be able to reintegrate into society?

  • Name: Barb
    Date posted: 4/26/2010 9:54:54 AM
    Hometown: Virginia Beach

    Comment:

    Dear Advocate, Please fire whomever is in charge of proofreading your articles to ensure that the hyperlinks work. It is an extremely common problem on your site, and in this particular article, 2/2 links were incorrect. Thanks in advance, Barb in VA.



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