LGBT and ally individuals will return to Washington, D. C., to call for the repeal of the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers. But this year, organizers are optimistic that the end of the ban may be closer than ever.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which provides assistance to servicemembers discharged under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and works to overturn the ban, will host its annual Freedom to Serve Rally and Lobby Day on March 13 in Washington, D.C. The organization’s 17th-annual national dinner will follow the next night.
The seventh-annual Lobby Day will bring together opponents of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to meet with lawmakers and discuss the importance of repealing the ban.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was signed into law in 1993 by then-President Clinton. Since its institution, the law has led to the dismissal of about 12,000 servicemembers.
Paul DeMiglio, SLDN communications manager, said that on the morning of Lobby Day, supporters will divide into teams and disperse throughout the Congressional offices, targeting lawmakers from their home states and other areas to discuss why they should support the repeal.
The lobbyists and other supporters will gather for a noon rally on Capitol Hill before meeting with more lawmakers in the afternoon.
DeMiglio noted that about 200 individuals participated in last year’s Lobby Day.
The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill that was introduced in February 2007 and which would have repealed the ban, died in committee last year. Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN executive director, said similar legislation should be introduced shortly.
Sarvis said he expects the climate at this year’s event to be markedly different than at the previous gatherings.
“We have a president in the White House who has said that the statute should be repealed. We ended last Congress with 149 cosponsors in the House. We’re hoping to have a Senate bill introduced in the next few weeks with both Republicans and Democrats signing on,” he said. “I think we’re more optimistic than ever. The timing is appropriate right now and I think we’re going to have more [cosponsors] than ever.”
Sarvis said the weekend’s activities illustrate to legislators and citizens that the passage of legislation, especially one concerning such a contentious issue as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” should be a cooperative effort.
“I think it motivates people and energizes folks. It’s a reminder to them that it’s not enough just to have elected officials who support our position; we have to help them get the job done,” Sarvis said. “One of the ways we can do that is by showing up and expressing our support. We can’t sit back and wait for President Obama and the majority in the House and Senate to do this. We have to do it along with them and be at their side.”
For more information on Lobby Day, contact Jeremy Wilson-Simerman at [email protected].
SLDN’s annual dinner and silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. March 14 at the National Building Museum. Tickets start at $250. For more information on the dinner, contact David Hall at (202) 621-5419 or [email protected].
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].