MEDIA AVAILABILITY
"DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" REPEAL
ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Thursday, September 20, 2012 marks the first anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and OutServe, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel, have secured a variety of active duty service members, veterans, and issue experts who are standing by. They are available for broadcast, print, and online media interviews and are able to speak about the following:
the historical significance of the repeal anniversary
the political, legislative, and grassroots movement that led to repeal
the day-to-day realities of gay and lesbian service members before and after repeal
challenges remaining to achieve full LGBT equality in the military, including repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which currently prevents married gay and lesbian service members from receiving the same support, recognition, and benefits as their straight, married counterparts.
For booking or more information, please contact Zeke Stokes at 202-621-5406 or zeke@sldn.org.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
DADT Repeal Anniversary Event in NYC Tuesday
(New York, NY) – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), OutServe, and the Interbank Roundtable Committee (IRC) will present “Celebrating Our Heroes: A Tribute to America’s Service Members & Veterans,” next Tuesday, September 18 aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. Marking the first anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law, the event will be a tribute to American service members and veterans and will honor former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who played a significant leadership role in repeal, which took place on September 20, 2011. Barbara Walters, ABC news correspondent and co-host of The View, will emcee the event featuring remarks by Admiral Mullen and three Broadway ensemble performances.
The event will begin with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. A general admission event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at 9:30 p.m. For more information, to sponsor the event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.sldn.org/intrepid2012. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is located at Pier 86 in New York City.
Media covering the event should adhere to the following schedule:
5:00 p.m. Media check in begins outside the Intrepid Welcome Center
5:15 p.m. Media allowed access to red carpet arrivals area
5:30 p.m. Red carpet arrivals begin, scheduled appearances include, but are not limited to the following. A complete list will be provided on-site.
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senior military advisor to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Barbara Walters. Multiple Emmy Award Winning ABC News correspondent; “The Barbara Walters Specials”; Creator, co-host and executive producer of ABC Daytime’s “The View”
Eric Alva. Staff Sergeant Eric Alva was the first Marine seriously injured in the Iraq War. On March 21, 2003, he was in charge of 11 Marines in a supply unit when he stepped on a land mine and lost his right leg. He began working as a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign in 2006 speaking out for the repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Elizabeth Birch. Former president of the Human Rights Campaign.
Lindsay Czarniak. ESPN SportsCenter anchor and correspondent.
Zoe Dunning. U. S. Naval Academy graduate and gay rights activist. She is the first and only openly gay person allowed to remain on active duty in the military prior to the end of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
Melvin Dwork. 90-year-old SLDN client and successful interior designer in NYC. Expelled from the Navy in 1944 for being gay, military now changing his discharge status nearly 70 years later from "undesirable" to "honorable" – marking what is believed to be the first time the Pentagon has taken such a step on behalf of a World War II veteran since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach. A decorated aviator, with three combat tours and 88 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Fehrenbach, received nine Air Medals for distinguished service. After more than two years challenging his discharge under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” with legal assistance provided by SLDN LLP he successfully retired from the Air Force on 9/30/2011.
Sue Fulton. Was among the first women to graduate from West Point in 1980. Founding board member of both Knights Out, an organization of LGBT West Point graduates and allies and OutServe, the organization of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. In July 2011, President Obama named her to the Board of Visitors at West Point, making her the first openly gay member of the board.
Major Stephen Hill. Army reservist with 18 years of service and a veteran of Operation Desert Shield. Drew national interest when he was booed during the Fox News/Google Republican Presidential Debate last September after asking a question via video about the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Randy Jones. Original cowboy from the legendary pop/disco group The Village People.
Staff Sergeant Anthony Loverde. SLDN client discharged under DADT. In April 2012, SLDN reached a resolution in his case, making him the second person to be reinstated to his prior position and rank in the military following repeal of DADT.
Bob McCann. CEO of UBS Group Americas and Wealth Management Americas.
Craig Melvin. MSNBC anchor, NBC News correspondent, and Today Show contributor.
Ken Mehlman. Campaign manager for the 2004 re-election campaign of George W. Bush and Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007.
Former Congressman Patrick Murphy. Author of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010. Iraq War veteran.
Christine C. Quinn. Speaker of the New York City Council. Quinn is the first female and first openly gay Speaker.
Thomas Roberts. MSNBC anchor.
Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Better known as The Fabulous Beekman Boys, the third season of their popular reality show debuts on the Cooking Channel this fall. In 2012, CBS announced that Ridge and Purcell had been cast in the 21st season of The Amazing Race.
Mike Ruiz. TV personality, actor, former model, acclaimed photographer. Has appeared on Logo’s The A-List New York and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Aubrey Sarvis. Army veteran and SLDN Executive Director. Leading figure in the movement to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Prominently featured in the HBO documentary, The Strange History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Josh Seefried. Co-founder and co-director of OutServe, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel. Author of Our Time: Breaking the Silence of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, released in softcover in August 2012.
Lisa Sherman. Executive Vice President and General Manager of Logo, the leading ad-supported entertainment network for gays and their families and friends, from Viacom Media Networks. Sherman oversees all programming, production, management, business and operations of the brand.
Laurie Tisch. President of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, Sits on the board of the Whitney Museum of American Art; the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; and Columbia University. Co-owner and member of the board of directors of the New York Giants.
Emily Tisch Sussman. Executive Director of Young Democrats of America, the nation’s largest partisan, youth-led political organization. Emily formerly served as the Co-Director of Government Affairs for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, where she represented LGBT servicemembers and was a leading figure in the movement to repeal the discriminatory "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT) law.
Tamara Tunie. In her tenth TV season as Medical Examiner Melinda Warner in Wolf Films/Universal Media Studio’s top-rated series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Tunie is married to Gregory Generet, a well-known jazz musician.
Major Margaret “Margie” Witt, USAF. Decorated, 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force who made history in 2010 with her successful constitutional challenge of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). Three months after she was ordered reinstated, Congress repealed the law.
7:30 p.m. Stage Program Begins. Scheduled appearances include but are not limited to:
Barbara Walters
Former Congressman Patrick Murphy
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen
Kate Shindle. Former Miss America. Has appeared on Broadway in Wonderland, Legally Blonde, Cabaret.
Katie Rose Clarke. Former star of Wicked on Broadway, playing the role of Glinda.
Janet Dacal. Created the role of Alice in the hit musical, Wonderland, on Broadway. Has recorded with Grammy award winning artists Gloria Estafan and Jon Secada.
Zakiya Young. Broadway star of The Little Mermaid and Stick Fly, produced by Alicia Keys.
Julia Murney. Played the role of Elphaba in the first national touring company of the musical Wicked. Solo recording artist.
9:30 p.m. Event Concludes
###
ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. For more information, visit www.sldn.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE: OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With more than 5,500 members and 50+ chapters worldwide, it is one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, visit www.outserve.org.
ABOUT INTERBANK ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE: The Interbank Roundtable Committee’s (IRC) is a voluntary NY-based ‘network of networks’ with representatives from 28 financial services industry organization’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Employee Resource Groups (ERG). The IRC serves as an open forum where members share best practices on promoting inclusive work environments and policies, engaging senior management and straight allies, building ERG membership and coordinating networking, professional development, and philanthropic activities across the industry. The IRC helps members build their professional network within the financial industry, while also promoting the financial industry as the industry of choice for LGBT individuals. For more information, visit www.interbanknyc.org.
The event will begin with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. A general admission event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at 9:30 p.m. For more information, to sponsor the event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.sldn.org/intrepid2012. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is located at Pier 86 in New York City.
Media covering the event should adhere to the following schedule:
5:00 p.m. Media check in begins outside the Intrepid Welcome Center
5:15 p.m. Media allowed access to red carpet arrivals area
5:30 p.m. Red carpet arrivals begin, scheduled appearances include, but are not limited to the following. A complete list will be provided on-site.
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senior military advisor to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Barbara Walters. Multiple Emmy Award Winning ABC News correspondent; “The Barbara Walters Specials”; Creator, co-host and executive producer of ABC Daytime’s “The View”
Eric Alva. Staff Sergeant Eric Alva was the first Marine seriously injured in the Iraq War. On March 21, 2003, he was in charge of 11 Marines in a supply unit when he stepped on a land mine and lost his right leg. He began working as a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign in 2006 speaking out for the repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Elizabeth Birch. Former president of the Human Rights Campaign.
Lindsay Czarniak. ESPN SportsCenter anchor and correspondent.
Zoe Dunning. U. S. Naval Academy graduate and gay rights activist. She is the first and only openly gay person allowed to remain on active duty in the military prior to the end of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
Melvin Dwork. 90-year-old SLDN client and successful interior designer in NYC. Expelled from the Navy in 1944 for being gay, military now changing his discharge status nearly 70 years later from "undesirable" to "honorable" – marking what is believed to be the first time the Pentagon has taken such a step on behalf of a World War II veteran since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach. A decorated aviator, with three combat tours and 88 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Fehrenbach, received nine Air Medals for distinguished service. After more than two years challenging his discharge under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” with legal assistance provided by SLDN LLP he successfully retired from the Air Force on 9/30/2011.
Sue Fulton. Was among the first women to graduate from West Point in 1980. Founding board member of both Knights Out, an organization of LGBT West Point graduates and allies and OutServe, the organization of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. In July 2011, President Obama named her to the Board of Visitors at West Point, making her the first openly gay member of the board.
Major Stephen Hill. Army reservist with 18 years of service and a veteran of Operation Desert Shield. Drew national interest when he was booed during the Fox News/Google Republican Presidential Debate last September after asking a question via video about the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Randy Jones. Original cowboy from the legendary pop/disco group The Village People.
Staff Sergeant Anthony Loverde. SLDN client discharged under DADT. In April 2012, SLDN reached a resolution in his case, making him the second person to be reinstated to his prior position and rank in the military following repeal of DADT.
Bob McCann. CEO of UBS Group Americas and Wealth Management Americas.
Craig Melvin. MSNBC anchor, NBC News correspondent, and Today Show contributor.
Ken Mehlman. Campaign manager for the 2004 re-election campaign of George W. Bush and Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007.
Former Congressman Patrick Murphy. Author of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010. Iraq War veteran.
Christine C. Quinn. Speaker of the New York City Council. Quinn is the first female and first openly gay Speaker.
Thomas Roberts. MSNBC anchor.
Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Better known as The Fabulous Beekman Boys, the third season of their popular reality show debuts on the Cooking Channel this fall. In 2012, CBS announced that Ridge and Purcell had been cast in the 21st season of The Amazing Race.
Mike Ruiz. TV personality, actor, former model, acclaimed photographer. Has appeared on Logo’s The A-List New York and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Aubrey Sarvis. Army veteran and SLDN Executive Director. Leading figure in the movement to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Prominently featured in the HBO documentary, The Strange History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Josh Seefried. Co-founder and co-director of OutServe, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel. Author of Our Time: Breaking the Silence of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, released in softcover in August 2012.
Lisa Sherman. Executive Vice President and General Manager of Logo, the leading ad-supported entertainment network for gays and their families and friends, from Viacom Media Networks. Sherman oversees all programming, production, management, business and operations of the brand.
Laurie Tisch. President of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, Sits on the board of the Whitney Museum of American Art; the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; and Columbia University. Co-owner and member of the board of directors of the New York Giants.
Emily Tisch Sussman. Executive Director of Young Democrats of America, the nation’s largest partisan, youth-led political organization. Emily formerly served as the Co-Director of Government Affairs for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, where she represented LGBT servicemembers and was a leading figure in the movement to repeal the discriminatory "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT) law.
Tamara Tunie. In her tenth TV season as Medical Examiner Melinda Warner in Wolf Films/Universal Media Studio’s top-rated series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Tunie is married to Gregory Generet, a well-known jazz musician.
Major Margaret “Margie” Witt, USAF. Decorated, 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force who made history in 2010 with her successful constitutional challenge of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). Three months after she was ordered reinstated, Congress repealed the law.
7:30 p.m. Stage Program Begins. Scheduled appearances include but are not limited to:
Barbara Walters
Former Congressman Patrick Murphy
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen
Kate Shindle. Former Miss America. Has appeared on Broadway in Wonderland, Legally Blonde, Cabaret.
Katie Rose Clarke. Former star of Wicked on Broadway, playing the role of Glinda.
Janet Dacal. Created the role of Alice in the hit musical, Wonderland, on Broadway. Has recorded with Grammy award winning artists Gloria Estafan and Jon Secada.
Zakiya Young. Broadway star of The Little Mermaid and Stick Fly, produced by Alicia Keys.
Julia Murney. Played the role of Elphaba in the first national touring company of the musical Wicked. Solo recording artist.
9:30 p.m. Event Concludes
###
ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. For more information, visit www.sldn.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE: OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With more than 5,500 members and 50+ chapters worldwide, it is one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, visit www.outserve.org.
ABOUT INTERBANK ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE: The Interbank Roundtable Committee’s (IRC) is a voluntary NY-based ‘network of networks’ with representatives from 28 financial services industry organization’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Employee Resource Groups (ERG). The IRC serves as an open forum where members share best practices on promoting inclusive work environments and policies, engaging senior management and straight allies, building ERG membership and coordinating networking, professional development, and philanthropic activities across the industry. The IRC helps members build their professional network within the financial industry, while also promoting the financial industry as the industry of choice for LGBT individuals. For more information, visit www.interbanknyc.org.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Christmas Decor Celebrates Ten Years of Lighting Up Military Families' Homes
Lubbock, TX – In honor of Patriot Day this year, Christmas Decor will be launching a program to help boost the spirit of military families across the country. With the American men and women still deployed throughout the world this holiday season, military families are facing the challenge of preparing for the holidays without their loved ones. For all that those deployed do for our country; Christmas Decor is giving a little back to the families of these brave men and women with its tenth annual Decorated Family Program.
Christmas Decor, the nation’s leading professional holiday & event decorating franchise, began the Decorated Family Program in 2003 after a franchisee attended a holiday dinner party and began to consider all of the men and women overseas who will not be able to celebrate with those they love. The program was created to thank our country’s soldiers for their dedication and support by decorating their family’s homes.
Each holiday, hundreds of Christmas Decor franchisees nationwide participate in this event by donating their products, resources and time to decorate the homes of local military families as part of the Decorated Family Program.
“Christmas Decor always looks forward to giving back to the families with loved ones overseas,” said Brandon Stephens, President of Christmas Decor. “We are proud to have found an extra special way to thank our country’s soldiers for their dedication and support by decorating their families’ homes.”
People can nominate deserving military families in their community by filling out the nomination form available on the Christmas Decor fan page on Facebook. When the form is completed it should be emailed to decoratedfamily@thedecorgroup.com. This form allows people to explain why the family should become a “Christmas Decor Decorated Family.” Winners are awarded based on their location (to ensure there is a local franchise to provide the award) and the impact of their story on the judges. People can also post their Decorated Family stories on the Christmas Decor fan page on Facebook to enter a contest to receive a special prize. The lucky winning family will be the one with the most “like” votes on the Facebook page.
With nearly 300 locations, Christmas Decor, Inc. is now the largest professional holiday & event decorating franchise. The company offers a complete decorating service program including display design, installation, maintenance, and removal of holiday lighting and decorations. Now the franchise is in the enviable position of being able to give back to communities.
“Each and every American who has volunteered to serve overseas is a true hero,” said Stephens. “We felt as if this was the least we could do to show support for our troops still stationed around the world.”
The company is seeking to attract hundreds of nominations that result in decorating at least 200 homes for the 2012 holiday season. The deadline for nominations is Veterans Day, November 11, 2012. For more information about the Decorated Family Program please visit the company’s website, www.christmasdecor.net.
About Christmas Decor:
Since its inception in 1986, Christmas Decor has risen to become the premier holiday lighting and decorating company in North America. The Texas-based company was founded by Blake Smith as an off-season supplement to his landscape business and as a method to provide year-round work for employees. Christmas Decor quickly emerged as a viable business opportunity and today, operates in more than 350 markets in 48 states and Canada. Christmas Decor is highly revered in its field and has received consistent recognition for its efforts, including its popular Decorated Family Program which has been featured on The TODAY Show, TIME.com, CNN and FOX, among others. Christmas Decor’s parent company, The Decor Group, also offers the Nite Time Decor franchise opportunity, a growing 30-unit concept specializing in architectural and landscape lighting services. For more information, visit www.christmasdecor.net.
Christmas Decor, the nation’s leading professional holiday & event decorating franchise, began the Decorated Family Program in 2003 after a franchisee attended a holiday dinner party and began to consider all of the men and women overseas who will not be able to celebrate with those they love. The program was created to thank our country’s soldiers for their dedication and support by decorating their family’s homes.
Each holiday, hundreds of Christmas Decor franchisees nationwide participate in this event by donating their products, resources and time to decorate the homes of local military families as part of the Decorated Family Program.
“Christmas Decor always looks forward to giving back to the families with loved ones overseas,” said Brandon Stephens, President of Christmas Decor. “We are proud to have found an extra special way to thank our country’s soldiers for their dedication and support by decorating their families’ homes.”
People can nominate deserving military families in their community by filling out the nomination form available on the Christmas Decor fan page on Facebook. When the form is completed it should be emailed to decoratedfamily@thedecorgroup.com. This form allows people to explain why the family should become a “Christmas Decor Decorated Family.” Winners are awarded based on their location (to ensure there is a local franchise to provide the award) and the impact of their story on the judges. People can also post their Decorated Family stories on the Christmas Decor fan page on Facebook to enter a contest to receive a special prize. The lucky winning family will be the one with the most “like” votes on the Facebook page.
With nearly 300 locations, Christmas Decor, Inc. is now the largest professional holiday & event decorating franchise. The company offers a complete decorating service program including display design, installation, maintenance, and removal of holiday lighting and decorations. Now the franchise is in the enviable position of being able to give back to communities.
“Each and every American who has volunteered to serve overseas is a true hero,” said Stephens. “We felt as if this was the least we could do to show support for our troops still stationed around the world.”
The company is seeking to attract hundreds of nominations that result in decorating at least 200 homes for the 2012 holiday season. The deadline for nominations is Veterans Day, November 11, 2012. For more information about the Decorated Family Program please visit the company’s website, www.christmasdecor.net.
About Christmas Decor:
Since its inception in 1986, Christmas Decor has risen to become the premier holiday lighting and decorating company in North America. The Texas-based company was founded by Blake Smith as an off-season supplement to his landscape business and as a method to provide year-round work for employees. Christmas Decor quickly emerged as a viable business opportunity and today, operates in more than 350 markets in 48 states and Canada. Christmas Decor is highly revered in its field and has received consistent recognition for its efforts, including its popular Decorated Family Program which has been featured on The TODAY Show, TIME.com, CNN and FOX, among others. Christmas Decor’s parent company, The Decor Group, also offers the Nite Time Decor franchise opportunity, a growing 30-unit concept specializing in architectural and landscape lighting services. For more information, visit www.christmasdecor.net.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Barbara Walters, Broadway Set to Honor Service Members, Veterans Next Tuesday in NYC
ABC News Legend Barbara Walters and Broadway Stars Set to Pay Tribute to America’s Service Members and Veterans Next Tuesday in New York City
September 18 event in New York City will mark one year anniversary of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, honor Admiral Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
(New York, NY) – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), OutServe, and the Interbank Roundtable Committee (IRC) will present “Celebrating Our Heroes: A Tribute to America’s Service Members & Veterans,” next Tuesday, September 18 aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. Marking the first anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law, the event will be a tribute to American service members and veterans and will honor former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who played a significant leadership role in repeal, which took place on September 20, 2011. Barbara Walters, ABC news correspondent and co-host of The View,will emcee the event featuring remarks by Admiral Mullen and three Broadway ensemble performances.
"This historic and emotional event presents a unique – indeed, a once in a lifetime – opportunity to reinforce the meaningful part that Admiral Mullen played in the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal process. No one played a more pivotal role than Admiral Mullen in securing the support of Congress and the military for repeal," said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.
Members of Congress and observers alike sat transfixed as Mullen testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on February 2, 2010, at the height of the repeal fight, saying:
"No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens. For me, it comes down to integrity – theirs as individuals and ours as an institution."
Added Sarvis: “Barbara Walters as our emcee for the evening makes an already exciting lineup even more spectacular. It’s only fitting that America’s most influential and accomplished journalist - who has made history herself a time or two - would join us for this historic and emotional event.”
Walters has arguably interviewed more political figures and celebrities than any other journalist in history. She is so well known that her name and a brief biography is listed in the American Heritage Dictionary. In September 2004, after 25 years as co-host and chief correspondent of ABC News' 20/20, Ms. Walters left the show to begin a new phase in her career at the network as co-owner, co-executive producer and co-host of The View. She remains an active member of the news division and network, substantially increasing the number of primetime ABC News specials, in addition to her "Barbara Walters Specials." Through the years she has interviewed such world figures as Russia's Boris Yeltsin, China's Premier Jiang Zemin, Great Britain's former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Libya's Moammar Qadaffi and Iraq's President Sadaam Hussein. She was also the first American journalist to interview Russia's President Vladimir Putin and the first to interview President and Mrs. Bush following September 11. She has interviewed every American President and First Lady since Richard Nixon. She made journalism history by arranging the first joint interview with Egypt's President Anwar Sadat and Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin in November 1977.
The September 18 celebration in New York City will be the first in a series events hosted by SLDN and OutServe across the country during the week to commemorate the first year of open service by America's gay and lesbian service members. It is sponsored by: UBS - Verizon - Bank of America - Bloomberg - BNY Mellon - DiversityInc - Viacom - Winston & Strawn LLP - Absolut - Citigroup - Ernst & Young - GlaxoSmithKline - HBO - Hilton Worldwide - Human Rights Campaign - Hershey’s - Log Cabin Republicans - Merck - Miller Lite - Renna Communications - UPS - Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids - Comcast & NBC/Universal - Credit Suisse - GM - Informatica - SAP - Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP - Gay City News - FSIX - Interbank Roundtable Committee - The OUT NYC - KTCHN - XL Nightclub
The event will begin with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. A general admission event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at 9:30 p.m. For more information, to sponsor the event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.sldn.org/intrepid2012. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is located at Pier 86 in New York City.
Media covering the event should adhere to the following schedule
5:00 p.m. Media check in begins outside the Intrepid Welcome Center
5:15 p.m. Media allowed access to red carpet arrivals area
5:30 p.m. Red carpet arrivals begin, scheduled appearances include, but are not limited to the following. A complete list will be provided on-site. Admiral and Mrs. Mullen will walk the carpet at 5:30 p.m. sharp.
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senior military advisor to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Barbara Walters. Multiple Emmy Award Winning ABC News correspondent; “The Barbara Walters Specials”; Creator, co-host and executive producer of ABC Daytime’s “The View”
Eric Alva. Staff Sergeant Eric Alva was the first Marine seriously injured in the Iraq War. On March 21, 2003, he was in charge of 11 Marines in a supply unit when he stepped on a land mine and lost his right leg. He began working as a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign in 2006 speaking out for the repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Elizabeth Birch. Former president of the Human Rights Campaign.
Lindsay Czarniak. ESPN SportsCenter anchor and correspondent.
Zoe Dunning. U. S. Naval Academy graduate and gay rights activist. She is the first and only openly gay person allowed to remain on active duty in the military prior to the end of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
Melvin Dwork. 90-year-old SLDN client and successful interior designer in NYC. Expelled from the Navy in 1944 for being gay, military now changing his discharge status nearly 70 years later from "undesirable" to "honorable" – marking what is believed to be the first time the Pentagon has taken such a step on behalf of a World War II veteran since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach. A decorated aviator, with three combat tours and 88 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Fehrenbach, received nine Air Medals for distinguished service. After more than two years challenging his discharge under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” with legal assistance provided by SLDN LLP he successfully retired from the Air Force on 9/30/2011.
Sue Fulton. Was among the first women to graduate from West Point in 1980. Founding board member of both Knights Out, an organization of LGBT West Point graduates and allies and OutServe, the organization of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. In July 2011, President Obama named her to the Board of Visitors at West Point, making her the first openly gay member of the board.
Major Stephen Hill. Army reservist with 18 years of service and a veteran of Operation Desert Shield. Drew national interest when he was booed during the Fox News/Google Republican Presidential Debate last September after asking a question via video about the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Randy Jones. Original cowboy from the legendary pop/disco group The Village People.
Staff Sergeant Anthony Loverde. SLDN client discharged under DADT. In April 2012, SLDN reached a resolution in his case, making him the second person to be reinstated to his prior position and rank in the military following repeal of DADT.
Bob McCann. CEO of UBS Group Americas and Wealth Management Americas.
Craig Melvin. MSNBC anchor, NBC News correspondent, and Today Show contributor.
Ken Mehlman. Campaign manager for the 2004 re-election campaign of George W. Bush and Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007.
Former Congressman Patrick Murphy. Author of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010. Iraq War veteran.
Christine C. Quinn. Speaker of the New York City Council. Quinn is the first female and first openly gay Speaker.
Thomas Roberts. MSNBC anchor.
Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Better known as The Fabulous Beekman Boys, the third season of their popular reality show debuts on the Cooking Channel this fall. In 2012, CBS announced that Ridge and Purcell had been cast in the 21st season of The Amazing Race.
Mike Ruiz. TV personality, actor, former model, acclaimed photographer. Has appeared on Logo’s The A-List New York and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Aubrey Sarvis. Army veteran and SLDN Executive Director. Leading figure in the movement to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Prominently featured in the HBO documentary, The Strange History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Josh Seefried. Co-founder and co-director of OutServe, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel. Author of Our Time: Breaking the Silence of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, released in softcover in August 2012.
Lisa Sherman. Executive Vice President and General Manager of Logo, the leading ad-supported entertainment network for gays and their families and friends, from Viacom Media Networks. Sherman oversees all programming, production, management, business and operations of the brand.
Laurie Tisch. President of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, Sits on the board of the Whitney Museum of American Art; the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; and Columbia University. Co-owner and member of the board of directors of the New York Giants.
Emily Tisch Sussman. Executive Director of Young Democrats of America, the nation’s largest partisan, youth-led political organization. Emily formerly served as the Co-Director of Government Affairs for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, where she represented LGBT servicemembers and was a leading figure in the movement to repeal the discriminatory "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT) law.
Tamara Tunie. In her tenth TV season as Medical Examiner Melinda Warner in Wolf Films/Universal Media Studio’s top-rated series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Tunie is married to Gregory Generet, a well-known jazz musician.
Major Margaret “Margie” Witt, USAF. Decorated, 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force who made history in 2010 with her successful constitutional challenge of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). Three months after she was ordered reinstated, Congress repealed the law.
7:30 p.m. Stage Program Begins. Scheduled appearances include but are not limited to:
Barbara Walters
Former Congressman Patrick Murphy
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen
Kate Shindle. Former Miss America. Has appeared on Broadway in Wonderland, Legally Blonde, Cabaret.
Katie Rose Clarke. Former star of Wicked on Broadway, playing the role of Glinda.
Janet Dacal. Created the role of Alice in the hit musical, Wonderland, on Broadway. Has recorded with Grammy award winning artists Gloria Estafan and Jon Secada.
Zakiya Young. Broadway star of The Little Mermaid and Stick Fly, produced by Alicia Keys.
Julia Murney. Played the role of Elphaba in the first national touring company of the musical Wicked. Solo recording artist.
9:30 p.m. Event Concludes
###
ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. For more information, visit www.sldn.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE: OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With more than 5,500 members and 50+ chapters worldwide, it is one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, visit www.outserve.org.
ABOUT INTERBANK ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE: The Interbank Roundtable Committee’s (IRC) is a voluntary NY-based ‘network of networks’ with representatives from 28 financial services industry organization’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Employee Resource Groups (ERG). The IRC serves as an open forum where members share best practices on promoting inclusive work environments and policies, engaging senior management and straight allies, building ERG membership and coordinating networking, professional development, and philanthropic activities across the industry. The IRC helps members build their professional network within the financial industry, while also promoting the financial industry as the industry of choice for LGBT individuals. For more information, visit www.interbanknyc.org.
September 18 event in New York City will mark one year anniversary of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, honor Admiral Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
(New York, NY) – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), OutServe, and the Interbank Roundtable Committee (IRC) will present “Celebrating Our Heroes: A Tribute to America’s Service Members & Veterans,” next Tuesday, September 18 aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. Marking the first anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law, the event will be a tribute to American service members and veterans and will honor former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who played a significant leadership role in repeal, which took place on September 20, 2011. Barbara Walters, ABC news correspondent and co-host of The View,will emcee the event featuring remarks by Admiral Mullen and three Broadway ensemble performances.
"This historic and emotional event presents a unique – indeed, a once in a lifetime – opportunity to reinforce the meaningful part that Admiral Mullen played in the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal process. No one played a more pivotal role than Admiral Mullen in securing the support of Congress and the military for repeal," said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.
Members of Congress and observers alike sat transfixed as Mullen testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on February 2, 2010, at the height of the repeal fight, saying:
"No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens. For me, it comes down to integrity – theirs as individuals and ours as an institution."
Added Sarvis: “Barbara Walters as our emcee for the evening makes an already exciting lineup even more spectacular. It’s only fitting that America’s most influential and accomplished journalist - who has made history herself a time or two - would join us for this historic and emotional event.”
Walters has arguably interviewed more political figures and celebrities than any other journalist in history. She is so well known that her name and a brief biography is listed in the American Heritage Dictionary. In September 2004, after 25 years as co-host and chief correspondent of ABC News' 20/20, Ms. Walters left the show to begin a new phase in her career at the network as co-owner, co-executive producer and co-host of The View. She remains an active member of the news division and network, substantially increasing the number of primetime ABC News specials, in addition to her "Barbara Walters Specials." Through the years she has interviewed such world figures as Russia's Boris Yeltsin, China's Premier Jiang Zemin, Great Britain's former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Libya's Moammar Qadaffi and Iraq's President Sadaam Hussein. She was also the first American journalist to interview Russia's President Vladimir Putin and the first to interview President and Mrs. Bush following September 11. She has interviewed every American President and First Lady since Richard Nixon. She made journalism history by arranging the first joint interview with Egypt's President Anwar Sadat and Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin in November 1977.
The September 18 celebration in New York City will be the first in a series events hosted by SLDN and OutServe across the country during the week to commemorate the first year of open service by America's gay and lesbian service members. It is sponsored by: UBS - Verizon - Bank of America - Bloomberg - BNY Mellon - DiversityInc - Viacom - Winston & Strawn LLP - Absolut - Citigroup - Ernst & Young - GlaxoSmithKline - HBO - Hilton Worldwide - Human Rights Campaign - Hershey’s - Log Cabin Republicans - Merck - Miller Lite - Renna Communications - UPS - Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids - Comcast & NBC/Universal - Credit Suisse - GM - Informatica - SAP - Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP - Gay City News - FSIX - Interbank Roundtable Committee - The OUT NYC - KTCHN - XL Nightclub
The event will begin with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. A general admission event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at 9:30 p.m. For more information, to sponsor the event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.sldn.org/intrepid2012. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is located at Pier 86 in New York City.
Media covering the event should adhere to the following schedule
5:00 p.m. Media check in begins outside the Intrepid Welcome Center
5:15 p.m. Media allowed access to red carpet arrivals area
5:30 p.m. Red carpet arrivals begin, scheduled appearances include, but are not limited to the following. A complete list will be provided on-site. Admiral and Mrs. Mullen will walk the carpet at 5:30 p.m. sharp.
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senior military advisor to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Barbara Walters. Multiple Emmy Award Winning ABC News correspondent; “The Barbara Walters Specials”; Creator, co-host and executive producer of ABC Daytime’s “The View”
Eric Alva. Staff Sergeant Eric Alva was the first Marine seriously injured in the Iraq War. On March 21, 2003, he was in charge of 11 Marines in a supply unit when he stepped on a land mine and lost his right leg. He began working as a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign in 2006 speaking out for the repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Elizabeth Birch. Former president of the Human Rights Campaign.
Lindsay Czarniak. ESPN SportsCenter anchor and correspondent.
Zoe Dunning. U. S. Naval Academy graduate and gay rights activist. She is the first and only openly gay person allowed to remain on active duty in the military prior to the end of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
Melvin Dwork. 90-year-old SLDN client and successful interior designer in NYC. Expelled from the Navy in 1944 for being gay, military now changing his discharge status nearly 70 years later from "undesirable" to "honorable" – marking what is believed to be the first time the Pentagon has taken such a step on behalf of a World War II veteran since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach. A decorated aviator, with three combat tours and 88 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Fehrenbach, received nine Air Medals for distinguished service. After more than two years challenging his discharge under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” with legal assistance provided by SLDN LLP he successfully retired from the Air Force on 9/30/2011.
Sue Fulton. Was among the first women to graduate from West Point in 1980. Founding board member of both Knights Out, an organization of LGBT West Point graduates and allies and OutServe, the organization of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. In July 2011, President Obama named her to the Board of Visitors at West Point, making her the first openly gay member of the board.
Major Stephen Hill. Army reservist with 18 years of service and a veteran of Operation Desert Shield. Drew national interest when he was booed during the Fox News/Google Republican Presidential Debate last September after asking a question via video about the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Randy Jones. Original cowboy from the legendary pop/disco group The Village People.
Staff Sergeant Anthony Loverde. SLDN client discharged under DADT. In April 2012, SLDN reached a resolution in his case, making him the second person to be reinstated to his prior position and rank in the military following repeal of DADT.
Bob McCann. CEO of UBS Group Americas and Wealth Management Americas.
Craig Melvin. MSNBC anchor, NBC News correspondent, and Today Show contributor.
Ken Mehlman. Campaign manager for the 2004 re-election campaign of George W. Bush and Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007.
Former Congressman Patrick Murphy. Author of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010. Iraq War veteran.
Christine C. Quinn. Speaker of the New York City Council. Quinn is the first female and first openly gay Speaker.
Thomas Roberts. MSNBC anchor.
Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Better known as The Fabulous Beekman Boys, the third season of their popular reality show debuts on the Cooking Channel this fall. In 2012, CBS announced that Ridge and Purcell had been cast in the 21st season of The Amazing Race.
Mike Ruiz. TV personality, actor, former model, acclaimed photographer. Has appeared on Logo’s The A-List New York and RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Aubrey Sarvis. Army veteran and SLDN Executive Director. Leading figure in the movement to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Prominently featured in the HBO documentary, The Strange History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Josh Seefried. Co-founder and co-director of OutServe, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel. Author of Our Time: Breaking the Silence of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, released in softcover in August 2012.
Lisa Sherman. Executive Vice President and General Manager of Logo, the leading ad-supported entertainment network for gays and their families and friends, from Viacom Media Networks. Sherman oversees all programming, production, management, business and operations of the brand.
Laurie Tisch. President of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, Sits on the board of the Whitney Museum of American Art; the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; and Columbia University. Co-owner and member of the board of directors of the New York Giants.
Emily Tisch Sussman. Executive Director of Young Democrats of America, the nation’s largest partisan, youth-led political organization. Emily formerly served as the Co-Director of Government Affairs for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, where she represented LGBT servicemembers and was a leading figure in the movement to repeal the discriminatory "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT) law.
Tamara Tunie. In her tenth TV season as Medical Examiner Melinda Warner in Wolf Films/Universal Media Studio’s top-rated series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Tunie is married to Gregory Generet, a well-known jazz musician.
Major Margaret “Margie” Witt, USAF. Decorated, 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force who made history in 2010 with her successful constitutional challenge of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). Three months after she was ordered reinstated, Congress repealed the law.
7:30 p.m. Stage Program Begins. Scheduled appearances include but are not limited to:
Barbara Walters
Former Congressman Patrick Murphy
Admiral Mike Mullen & Deborah Mullen
Kate Shindle. Former Miss America. Has appeared on Broadway in Wonderland, Legally Blonde, Cabaret.
Katie Rose Clarke. Former star of Wicked on Broadway, playing the role of Glinda.
Janet Dacal. Created the role of Alice in the hit musical, Wonderland, on Broadway. Has recorded with Grammy award winning artists Gloria Estafan and Jon Secada.
Zakiya Young. Broadway star of The Little Mermaid and Stick Fly, produced by Alicia Keys.
Julia Murney. Played the role of Elphaba in the first national touring company of the musical Wicked. Solo recording artist.
9:30 p.m. Event Concludes
###
ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. For more information, visit www.sldn.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE: OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With more than 5,500 members and 50+ chapters worldwide, it is one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, visit www.outserve.org.
ABOUT INTERBANK ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE: The Interbank Roundtable Committee’s (IRC) is a voluntary NY-based ‘network of networks’ with representatives from 28 financial services industry organization’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Employee Resource Groups (ERG). The IRC serves as an open forum where members share best practices on promoting inclusive work environments and policies, engaging senior management and straight allies, building ERG membership and coordinating networking, professional development, and philanthropic activities across the industry. The IRC helps members build their professional network within the financial industry, while also promoting the financial industry as the industry of choice for LGBT individuals. For more information, visit www.interbanknyc.org.
ADM Mike Mullen Speaks Ahead of DADT Repeal Anniversary
EXCLUSIVE: As DADT Repeal Anniversary Nears, OutServe Magazine Speaks with Admiral Mike Mullen in New Interview Released Today
Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Discusses Naval Career, Repeal of Discriminatory Law
(WASHINGTON, DC) As the one-year anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” approaches on September 20, 2012, OutServe Magazine is realeasing its "Anniversary of Repeal" September/October 2012 issue. OutServe Magazine pays tribute to one of the forces behind the repeal, publishing an exclusive interview with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen. Mullen will appear at a repeal celebration in New York City hosted by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), OutServe, and The Interbank Roundtable Committee on Tuesday, September 18 to mark the occasion.
“The information gathering that took place prior to the law actually changing re-enforced my belief that this was not going to have a significant impact on readiness or morale. These concerns were especially critical, as we were then still in the middle of two wars. I did feel strongly that we needed time to gather the information to understand the breadth and depth of the issues in order to properly implement the changes associated with the repeal of the law when that took place," Mullen says of repeal in the interview, which took place last week.
The interview also covers how his early career experiences helped shape his future as Chairman, and how his study of the impact that open LGB service would have on the Armed Forces helped redefine the debate surrounding the implementation of the repeal of the discriminatory law.
“Many were taken back by the 're-framing' of the terms of reference of the debate, which my testimony fundamentally did. No longer was it about sexual orientation. It was about our most important value in the military: integrity,” he said.
Mullen will join ABC news legend Barbara Walters to headline the September 18 event in New York City commemorating the one-year anniversary of DADT repeal. The event will take place aboard the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
Read the interview with Admiral Mullen and several other articles and reflections from military heroes who have been personally impacted by the stand Admiral Mullen took for the military’s core value: integrity. Visit http://outservemag.com to view individual articles.
For interviews with OutServe Magazine staff and reporters or to request more information about the celebration of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Sept. 18, 2012 in New York City, contact Zeke Stokes at 202-621-5406 or zeke@sldn.org.
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ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. For more information, visit www.sldn.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE: OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With more than 5,500 members and 50+ chapters worldwide, it is one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, visit www.outserve.org.
ABOUT THE INTERBANK ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE: The Interbank Roundtable Committee’s (IRC) is a voluntary NY-based ‘network of networks’ with representatives from 28 financial services industry organization’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Employee Resource Groups (ERG). The IRC serves as an open forum where members share best practices on promoting inclusive work environments and policies, engaging senior management and straight allies, building ERG membership and coordinating networking, professional development, and philanthropic activities across the industry. The IRC helps members build their professional network within the financial industry, while also promoting the financial industry as the industry of choice for LGBT individuals. For more information, visit www.interbanknyc.org.
Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Discusses Naval Career, Repeal of Discriminatory Law
(WASHINGTON, DC) As the one-year anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” approaches on September 20, 2012, OutServe Magazine is realeasing its "Anniversary of Repeal" September/October 2012 issue. OutServe Magazine pays tribute to one of the forces behind the repeal, publishing an exclusive interview with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen. Mullen will appear at a repeal celebration in New York City hosted by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), OutServe, and The Interbank Roundtable Committee on Tuesday, September 18 to mark the occasion.
“The information gathering that took place prior to the law actually changing re-enforced my belief that this was not going to have a significant impact on readiness or morale. These concerns were especially critical, as we were then still in the middle of two wars. I did feel strongly that we needed time to gather the information to understand the breadth and depth of the issues in order to properly implement the changes associated with the repeal of the law when that took place," Mullen says of repeal in the interview, which took place last week.
The interview also covers how his early career experiences helped shape his future as Chairman, and how his study of the impact that open LGB service would have on the Armed Forces helped redefine the debate surrounding the implementation of the repeal of the discriminatory law.
“Many were taken back by the 're-framing' of the terms of reference of the debate, which my testimony fundamentally did. No longer was it about sexual orientation. It was about our most important value in the military: integrity,” he said.
Mullen will join ABC news legend Barbara Walters to headline the September 18 event in New York City commemorating the one-year anniversary of DADT repeal. The event will take place aboard the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
Read the interview with Admiral Mullen and several other articles and reflections from military heroes who have been personally impacted by the stand Admiral Mullen took for the military’s core value: integrity. Visit http://outservemag.com to view individual articles.
For interviews with OutServe Magazine staff and reporters or to request more information about the celebration of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Sept. 18, 2012 in New York City, contact Zeke Stokes at 202-621-5406 or zeke@sldn.org.
###
ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. For more information, visit www.sldn.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE: OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With more than 5,500 members and 50+ chapters worldwide, it is one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, visit www.outserve.org.
ABOUT THE INTERBANK ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE: The Interbank Roundtable Committee’s (IRC) is a voluntary NY-based ‘network of networks’ with representatives from 28 financial services industry organization’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Employee Resource Groups (ERG). The IRC serves as an open forum where members share best practices on promoting inclusive work environments and policies, engaging senior management and straight allies, building ERG membership and coordinating networking, professional development, and philanthropic activities across the industry. The IRC helps members build their professional network within the financial industry, while also promoting the financial industry as the industry of choice for LGBT individuals. For more information, visit www.interbanknyc.org.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
ABC News Legend Barbara Walters to Host DADT Repeal Celebration in New York City
ABC News Legend Barbara Walters to Host Celebration of American Troops
September 18 event in New York City will mark one year anniversary of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, honor Admiral Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
(New York, NY) – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), OutServe, and the Interbank Roundtable Committee (IRC) today announced that journalist Barbara Walters will serve as emcee for the upcoming event, “Celebrating Our Heroes,” scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 18 aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum in New York City. Marking the first anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law, the event will be a tribute to all American service members and will honor former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who played a significant leadership role in repeal, which took place on September 20, 2011.
“The addition of Barbara Walters as our emcee for the evening makes an already exciting lineup even more spectacular. It’s only fitting that America’s most influential and accomplished journalist - who has made history herself a time or two - would join us for this historic and emotional event,” said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.
Walters has arguably interviewed more political figures and celebrities than any other journalist in history. She is so well known that her name and a brief biography is listed in the American Heritage Dictionary. In September 2004, after 25 years as co-host and chief correspondent of ABC News' 20/20, Ms. Walters left the show to begin a new phase in her career at the network as co-owner, co-executive producer and co-host of The View. She remains an active member of the news division and network, substantially increasing the number of primetime ABC News specials, in addition to her "Barbara Walters Specials." Through the years she has interviewed such world figures as Russia's Boris Yeltsin, China's Premier Jiang Zemin, Great Britain's former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Libya's Moammar Qadaffi and Iraq's President Sadaam Hussein. She was also the first American journalist to interview Russia's President Vladimir Putin and the first to interview President and Mrs. Bush following September 11. She has interviewed every American President and First Lady since Richard Nixon. She made journalism history by arranging the first joint interview with Egypt's President Anwar Sadat and Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin in November 1977.
"Having someone of Barbara Walters’ depth of world experience and caliber is a perfect match for this tribute to Admiral Mullen's courage in helping our nation live out its promise of equality for all,” said Elizabeth Birch, former President of the Human Rights Campaign and a key organizer of the event.
The September 18 celebration in New York City will be the first in a series events hosted by SLDN and OutServe across the country during the week to commemorate the first year of open service by America's gay and lesbian service members. The anniversary of repeal is September 20.
The September 18 event is sponsored by: UBS - Verizon - BNY Mellon - GlaxoSmithKline - Bank of America - DiversityInc - Winston & Strawn LLP - Viacom - MillerCoors - Absolut - Citigroup - UPS - Renna Communications - Ernst & Young - Honda - General Motors - Human Rights Campaign - Merck - Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP - Credit Suisse - SAP - Interbank Roundtable Committee - Financial Services Industry Exchange (FSIX) - The Out NYC - XL Nightclub - KTCHN Restaurant
The event will begin with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. A general admission event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at 9:30 p.m. For more information, to sponsor the event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.sldn.org/intrepid2012.
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ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. For more information, visit www.sldn.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE: OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With more than 5,500 members and 50+ chapters worldwide, it is one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, visit www.outserve.org.
ABOUT INTERBANK ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE: The Interbank Roundtable Committee’s (IRC) is a voluntary NY-based ‘network of networks’ with representatives from 28 financial services industry organization’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Employee Resource Groups (ERG). The IRC serves as an open forum where members share best practices on promoting inclusive work environments and policies, engaging senior management and straight allies, building ERG membership and coordinating networking, professional development, and philanthropic activities across the industry. The IRC helps members build their professional network within the financial industry, while also promoting the financial industry as the industry of choice for LGBT individuals. For more information, visit www.interbanknyc.org.
September 18 event in New York City will mark one year anniversary of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, honor Admiral Mike Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
(New York, NY) – Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), OutServe, and the Interbank Roundtable Committee (IRC) today announced that journalist Barbara Walters will serve as emcee for the upcoming event, “Celebrating Our Heroes,” scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 18 aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum in New York City. Marking the first anniversary of the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law, the event will be a tribute to all American service members and will honor former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who played a significant leadership role in repeal, which took place on September 20, 2011.
“The addition of Barbara Walters as our emcee for the evening makes an already exciting lineup even more spectacular. It’s only fitting that America’s most influential and accomplished journalist - who has made history herself a time or two - would join us for this historic and emotional event,” said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.
Walters has arguably interviewed more political figures and celebrities than any other journalist in history. She is so well known that her name and a brief biography is listed in the American Heritage Dictionary. In September 2004, after 25 years as co-host and chief correspondent of ABC News' 20/20, Ms. Walters left the show to begin a new phase in her career at the network as co-owner, co-executive producer and co-host of The View. She remains an active member of the news division and network, substantially increasing the number of primetime ABC News specials, in addition to her "Barbara Walters Specials." Through the years she has interviewed such world figures as Russia's Boris Yeltsin, China's Premier Jiang Zemin, Great Britain's former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Libya's Moammar Qadaffi and Iraq's President Sadaam Hussein. She was also the first American journalist to interview Russia's President Vladimir Putin and the first to interview President and Mrs. Bush following September 11. She has interviewed every American President and First Lady since Richard Nixon. She made journalism history by arranging the first joint interview with Egypt's President Anwar Sadat and Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin in November 1977.
"Having someone of Barbara Walters’ depth of world experience and caliber is a perfect match for this tribute to Admiral Mullen's courage in helping our nation live out its promise of equality for all,” said Elizabeth Birch, former President of the Human Rights Campaign and a key organizer of the event.
The September 18 celebration in New York City will be the first in a series events hosted by SLDN and OutServe across the country during the week to commemorate the first year of open service by America's gay and lesbian service members. The anniversary of repeal is September 20.
The September 18 event is sponsored by: UBS - Verizon - BNY Mellon - GlaxoSmithKline - Bank of America - DiversityInc - Winston & Strawn LLP - Viacom - MillerCoors - Absolut - Citigroup - UPS - Renna Communications - Ernst & Young - Honda - General Motors - Human Rights Campaign - Merck - Shook, Hardy & Bacon, LLP - Credit Suisse - SAP - Interbank Roundtable Committee - Financial Services Industry Exchange (FSIX) - The Out NYC - XL Nightclub - KTCHN Restaurant
The event will begin with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m. A general admission event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at 9:30 p.m. For more information, to sponsor the event, or to purchase tickets, visit www.sldn.org/intrepid2012.
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ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100. For more information, visit www.sldn.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE: OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With more than 5,500 members and 50+ chapters worldwide, it is one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information, visit www.outserve.org.
ABOUT INTERBANK ROUNDTABLE COMMITTEE: The Interbank Roundtable Committee’s (IRC) is a voluntary NY-based ‘network of networks’ with representatives from 28 financial services industry organization’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Employee Resource Groups (ERG). The IRC serves as an open forum where members share best practices on promoting inclusive work environments and policies, engaging senior management and straight allies, building ERG membership and coordinating networking, professional development, and philanthropic activities across the industry. The IRC helps members build their professional network within the financial industry, while also promoting the financial industry as the industry of choice for LGBT individuals. For more information, visit www.interbanknyc.org.
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