Amid a brave fight for her life, Morgan carries on battle for equality for LGBT service members and families
(Concord, NH) – New Hampshire Governor-Elect Maggie Hassan today announced additional details of her Inaugural Ceremony on Thursday, January 3, 2013 that include Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) Charlie Morgan of the New Hampshire National Guard, who will open the ceremony by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Morgan, who has been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer, has become a nationally recognized advocate against the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which bars her wife, Karen, from receiving military, Social Security and other benefits that would help her care for their five-year-old daughter Casey Elena. Morgan recently announced that her doctors have given her just months to live.
“Charlie Morgan is a national treasure and a treasure to her home state of New Hampshire. We could not be happier that Governor-elect Hassan has chosen to honor her work and her fight for equality in this way,” said Army Veteran & OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson.
The Morgans are plaintiffs in a lawsuit brought by SLDN in October 2011 challenging DOMA and four other federal statutes that prevent the military from providing equal recognition and support to same-sex military spouses. Currently, the Morgans do not receive the same protections as their straight, married peers, and Karen would not be entitled to survivor's benefits upon CW2 Morgan's death.
CW2 Morgan also drew national support in February when she visited Capitol Hill to meet with the staff of Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) to tell her personal story and share how the Speaker's ongoing legal defense of DOMA via the House Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group (BLAG) harms her family. There, she detailed her battle with incurable stage-four breast cancer and asked the Speaker to drop his legal defense of DOMA. Boehner has ignored her pleas and continues to defend the discriminatory law in court.
"In 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and several rounds of chemotherapy to save my life. In 2010 - declared cancer free by my oncologist - I was deployed to Kuwait for one year in support of Operation New Dawn. I faithfully fulfilled my duty and returned home to my wife and our then four-year old daughter. But last September, we learned the awful truth that my cancer has returned. It is metastatic and incurable. We don't know how long I have," CW2 Morgan said at the time.
More information on the Inauguration of Governor-Elect Maggie Hassan may be found here.
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ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world It 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. It 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. OS-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 who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
OutServe-SLDN Statement on Hagel Apology
(Washington, DC) Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson released the following statement in reaction to an aplogy issued today by former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel for remarks made in 1998. The apology was reported by Washington Post.
"We are pleased that Senator Hagel recognized the importance of retracting his previous statement about Ambassador Hormel and affirming his commitment to Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal and LGBT military families. We look forward to learning more about his commitment to full LGBT military equality as this nomination and confirmation process unfolds," she said.
"We are pleased that Senator Hagel recognized the importance of retracting his previous statement about Ambassador Hormel and affirming his commitment to Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal and LGBT military families. We look forward to learning more about his commitment to full LGBT military equality as this nomination and confirmation process unfolds," she said.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Meeting at Fort Bragg Brings No Resolution for Military Family Facing Discrimination by Spouses Group
Robinson calls on Fort Bragg, Pentagon to Lead on LGBT military equality issues
(Fort Bragg, NC) A meeting lasting more than an hour today brought no resolution to nearly two weeks of controversy surrounding the denial of Ashley Broadway, the wife of an Army Lieutenant Colonel, for membership in the Association of Bragg Officer’s Spouses. Ashley and her wife, Lieutenant Colonel Heather Mack, met with Ft. Bragg Garrison Commander Colonel Jeffrey Sanborn, who agreed, at LTC Mack’s suggestion, to schedule a meeting of the spouses’ group with Broadway to discuss the situation.
“Today’s meeting was yet another delay tactic by the command at Fort Bragg and produced nothing more for Ashley and her family than additional delay. Our families don’t need more meetings; they need leadership. We need Lieutenant General Daniel Allyn, the commanding general at Fort Bragg, to use his command influence to bring this discrimination to an end immediately and ensure that Ashley and other same-sex spouses are treated equally in his community,” said Allyson Robinson, Army Veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director.
Robinson renewed her call for the Pentagon to end its two years of silence on issues affecting LGBT military families, including benefits that may be extended to them immediately by the Department of Defense without conflicting with the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. OutServe-SLDN has enumerated these benefits to the Secretary to Defense through a series of communications since January 2011.
“This situation at Fort Bragg is the logical outcome of an abdication of leadership responsibility by the most senior officials at the Pentagon, and it must end now - not only for Ashley Broadway and her family, but for all gay and lesbian military families who put their lives on the line for our nation every single day,” said Robinson.
Robinson first brought the incident to the attention of Fort Bragg leadership on December 11 following a letter publicly released by The American Military Partner Association, which Broadway sent to the spouses’ organization detailing her rejection.
“The facts here are simple: there is no legal need or justification for any spouse to be excluded from a group like this, which exists to provide support to the spouses and families of our military men and women and the communities they serve. This organization operates on Ft. Bragg with the endorsement of the Commanding General, and it is up to him to make clear that there is no room for discrimination against LGBT military families in his community. It’s time for commanders at all levels to demonstrate a real commitment to equal treatment for all military families,” said Robinson.
As a private, non-profit organization not governed by laws that apply to the federal government, there is no legal basis - such as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - that would require same-sex military spouses to be excluded from the Association of Bragg Officers’ Spouses. Robinson said there are many such organizations on bases across the U.S. and around the world where same-sex families have been included and welcomed since the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in September 2011.
(Fort Bragg, NC) A meeting lasting more than an hour today brought no resolution to nearly two weeks of controversy surrounding the denial of Ashley Broadway, the wife of an Army Lieutenant Colonel, for membership in the Association of Bragg Officer’s Spouses. Ashley and her wife, Lieutenant Colonel Heather Mack, met with Ft. Bragg Garrison Commander Colonel Jeffrey Sanborn, who agreed, at LTC Mack’s suggestion, to schedule a meeting of the spouses’ group with Broadway to discuss the situation.
“Today’s meeting was yet another delay tactic by the command at Fort Bragg and produced nothing more for Ashley and her family than additional delay. Our families don’t need more meetings; they need leadership. We need Lieutenant General Daniel Allyn, the commanding general at Fort Bragg, to use his command influence to bring this discrimination to an end immediately and ensure that Ashley and other same-sex spouses are treated equally in his community,” said Allyson Robinson, Army Veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director.
Robinson renewed her call for the Pentagon to end its two years of silence on issues affecting LGBT military families, including benefits that may be extended to them immediately by the Department of Defense without conflicting with the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. OutServe-SLDN has enumerated these benefits to the Secretary to Defense through a series of communications since January 2011.
“This situation at Fort Bragg is the logical outcome of an abdication of leadership responsibility by the most senior officials at the Pentagon, and it must end now - not only for Ashley Broadway and her family, but for all gay and lesbian military families who put their lives on the line for our nation every single day,” said Robinson.
Robinson first brought the incident to the attention of Fort Bragg leadership on December 11 following a letter publicly released by The American Military Partner Association, which Broadway sent to the spouses’ organization detailing her rejection.
“The facts here are simple: there is no legal need or justification for any spouse to be excluded from a group like this, which exists to provide support to the spouses and families of our military men and women and the communities they serve. This organization operates on Ft. Bragg with the endorsement of the Commanding General, and it is up to him to make clear that there is no room for discrimination against LGBT military families in his community. It’s time for commanders at all levels to demonstrate a real commitment to equal treatment for all military families,” said Robinson.
As a private, non-profit organization not governed by laws that apply to the federal government, there is no legal basis - such as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) - that would require same-sex military spouses to be excluded from the Association of Bragg Officers’ Spouses. Robinson said there are many such organizations on bases across the U.S. and around the world where same-sex families have been included and welcomed since the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in September 2011.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Fort Bragg Leadership Will Meet With Ashley Broadway Amid Discrimination Controvers
American Military Partner Association, OutServe-SLDN Release Joint Statement
(Washington, DC) The American Military Partner Association (AMPA) and OutServe-SLDN, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel, released the following statement regarding the ongoing controversy at Fort Bragg surrounding the denial of membership of Ashley Broadway by the Association of Bragg Officers' Spouses:
"We are pleased to announce that the leadership at Fort Bragg - specifically, Colonel Jeffrey Sanborn, the Garrison Commander - will meet with Ashley Broadway next Thursday to address the discrimination she is facing with the Association of Bragg Officers' Spouses. By agreeing to this meeting, the post leadership is affirming that, indeed, it does have a role to play when a family in its community is treated unfairly by a group that holds itself out as representative of all military families. Ashley looks forward to discussing not only the challenges her family has faced, but those faced by other same-sex military families in the Fort Bragg community. We continue to urge Colonel Sanborn and Commanding General Daniel Allyn to use their considerable influence to remedy this situation for Ashley and pave the way for all military families at Fort Bragg to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equity."
The meeting between Broadway and Fort Bragg leadership will take place Thursday, December 20 at 10:00 a.m.
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ABOUT THE AMERICAN MILITARY PARTNER ASSOCIATION: The American Military Partner Association is the nation’s premier resource and support network for LGBT military families. Founded and led by same-sex military partners in 2009 as the Campaign for Military Partners, AMPA is leading the effort to support LGBT military families. For more information, visitwww.militarypartners.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world It 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. It 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. OS-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 who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
(Washington, DC) The American Military Partner Association (AMPA) and OutServe-SLDN, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel, released the following statement regarding the ongoing controversy at Fort Bragg surrounding the denial of membership of Ashley Broadway by the Association of Bragg Officers' Spouses:
"We are pleased to announce that the leadership at Fort Bragg - specifically, Colonel Jeffrey Sanborn, the Garrison Commander - will meet with Ashley Broadway next Thursday to address the discrimination she is facing with the Association of Bragg Officers' Spouses. By agreeing to this meeting, the post leadership is affirming that, indeed, it does have a role to play when a family in its community is treated unfairly by a group that holds itself out as representative of all military families. Ashley looks forward to discussing not only the challenges her family has faced, but those faced by other same-sex military families in the Fort Bragg community. We continue to urge Colonel Sanborn and Commanding General Daniel Allyn to use their considerable influence to remedy this situation for Ashley and pave the way for all military families at Fort Bragg to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equity."
The meeting between Broadway and Fort Bragg leadership will take place Thursday, December 20 at 10:00 a.m.
###
ABOUT THE AMERICAN MILITARY PARTNER ASSOCIATION: The American Military Partner Association is the nation’s premier resource and support network for LGBT military families. Founded and led by same-sex military partners in 2009 as the Campaign for Military Partners, AMPA is leading the effort to support LGBT military families. For more information, visitwww.militarypartners.org.
ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world It 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. It 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. OS-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 who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Statement by OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson on Reports of Hagel Nomination for Secretary of Defense
(Washington, DC) Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson responded today to reports that former Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska is likely to be nominated by President Barack Obama to succeed Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta:
"At OutServe-SLDN, we expect that anyone being considered by the President for the Secretary of Defense post would embrace one of the signature accomplishments of this administration - the repeal of ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ - and would be prepared to demonstrate his or her firm commitment to fairness and equality for our nation's men and women in uniform. Finishing the work of repeal - and the important next steps toward achieving equality in the military - need to happen during the tenure of the next Secretary of Defense. Should he become the Secretary, we would look forward to working with Senator Hagel to achieve the President’s priorities for our nation’s armed forces.”
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ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world It 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. It 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. OS-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 who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
"At OutServe-SLDN, we expect that anyone being considered by the President for the Secretary of Defense post would embrace one of the signature accomplishments of this administration - the repeal of ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ - and would be prepared to demonstrate his or her firm commitment to fairness and equality for our nation's men and women in uniform. Finishing the work of repeal - and the important next steps toward achieving equality in the military - need to happen during the tenure of the next Secretary of Defense. Should he become the Secretary, we would look forward to working with Senator Hagel to achieve the President’s priorities for our nation’s armed forces.”
###
ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world It 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. It 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. OS-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 who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
Robinson: Equality Cannot Wait
OutServe-SLDN Responds to Delay Tactic by Fort Bragg Spouses Group
(WASHINGTON DC) Amid national controversy surrounding its denial of membership to a same-sex military spouse, the Association of Bragg Officers’ Spouses today released a statement indicating it would address the issue at a board meeting next month. In response, Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson called on the group to address the controversy immediately.
“‘Equality can wait’ has never been the answer, but that’s the message the Association of Bragg Officers’ Spouses is sending with its tepid and dismissive statement today. It’s certainly not the answer for Ashley Broadway or the families of gay and lesbian service members at Ft. Bragg and on military installations across the country, who like all our men and women in uniform, need support during the holiday season perhaps more than any other time of the year. The group doesn’t need a meeting; Ashley clearly qualifies under its existing, approved bylaws. It simply needs to accept Ashley into its membership, and it should do so immediately,” Robinson said.
Ashley Broadway detailed her denial of membership in the club in an open letter to its president, Mary Ring, earlier this week. On Tuesday, OutServe-SLDN reached out to the Commanding General at Fort Bragg, Lt. Gen. Daniel Allyn, to make him aware of discrimination against military families happening in his community and request that he address the situation. The command has yet to respond.
Robinson also called out the Pentagon for its nearly two-year long delay in issuing guidance on benefits and support that can be provided to same-sex military families without coming into conflict with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
“The Pentagon has dragged its feet on this issue for far too long, and it’s time for the Secretary to act. Situations like the one at Ft. Bragg could be avoided if commanders were given the guidance they need to address these issues with consistency. All it takes is the stroke of a pen,” said Robinson.
OutServe-SLDN, previously known as Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, has sent repeated requests to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta outlining steps he can take now to extend recognition, benefits, and support to gay and lesbian military families.
###
ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world It 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. It 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. OS-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 who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
(WASHINGTON DC) Amid national controversy surrounding its denial of membership to a same-sex military spouse, the Association of Bragg Officers’ Spouses today released a statement indicating it would address the issue at a board meeting next month. In response, Army veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson called on the group to address the controversy immediately.
“‘Equality can wait’ has never been the answer, but that’s the message the Association of Bragg Officers’ Spouses is sending with its tepid and dismissive statement today. It’s certainly not the answer for Ashley Broadway or the families of gay and lesbian service members at Ft. Bragg and on military installations across the country, who like all our men and women in uniform, need support during the holiday season perhaps more than any other time of the year. The group doesn’t need a meeting; Ashley clearly qualifies under its existing, approved bylaws. It simply needs to accept Ashley into its membership, and it should do so immediately,” Robinson said.
Ashley Broadway detailed her denial of membership in the club in an open letter to its president, Mary Ring, earlier this week. On Tuesday, OutServe-SLDN reached out to the Commanding General at Fort Bragg, Lt. Gen. Daniel Allyn, to make him aware of discrimination against military families happening in his community and request that he address the situation. The command has yet to respond.
Robinson also called out the Pentagon for its nearly two-year long delay in issuing guidance on benefits and support that can be provided to same-sex military families without coming into conflict with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
“The Pentagon has dragged its feet on this issue for far too long, and it’s time for the Secretary to act. Situations like the one at Ft. Bragg could be avoided if commanders were given the guidance they need to address these issues with consistency. All it takes is the stroke of a pen,” said Robinson.
OutServe-SLDN, previously known as Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, has sent repeated requests to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta outlining steps he can take now to extend recognition, benefits, and support to gay and lesbian military families.
###
ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world It 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. It 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. OS-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 who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The Arcus Foundation Makes “New Leadership” Grant to Support OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson
Foundation plans to launch leadership initiative in 2013
(NEW YORK, NY) The Arcus Foundation announced today a grant of $50,000 to Out-Serve-SLDN, the global association of actively-serving LGBT U.S. military personnel, to support the leadership of Allyson Robinson, the association’s newly-appointed executive director. The grant is the first of a number of “New Leadership” grants the Foundation plans to make in support of promising social justice leaders and their work. The one-time grants will be an element in a larger initiative that Arcus will launch in 2013 to advance the caliber, diversity and effectiveness of social justice leadership. The initiative is intended to support the leaders’ ability to reach out to key partners, build effective alliances and realize professional development.
“Investments in leadership are key to the success of any movement, and that is why we decided to complement our grantmaking work with these ‘New Leadership ‘ grants,“ said Kevin Jennings, the Foundation’s executive director. “As a soldier, activist and minister, Allyson Robinson has already made extraordinary contributions to our country and to the world. In her new role at OutServe-SLDN, she has a tremendous opportunity for make further positive impact, and this grant is intended to help her maximize that potential.”
Robinson was named Executive Director at OutServe-SLDN in October. In addition to being the newly-combined organization’s first executive director, she is the first transgender person ever named to head a national non-trans-specific LGBT organization. A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Robinson is a 1994 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she majored in physics. After an internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory, she was commissioned as an officer in the Army and commanded PATRIOT missile units in Europe and the Middle East. She also served as a senior trainer/evaluator for NATO and as an advisor to the armed forces of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. Robinson resigned her commission in 1999 to pursue a calling to Christian ministry, serving as pastor-teacher to churches in the Portuguese Azores and central Texas. She earned a master of divinity degree in theology with a capstone emphasis in social justice from Baylor University in 2007.
Most recently, as the first Deputy Director for Employee Programs of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Workplace Project, Robinson drove the design and delivery of HRC’s broad portfolio of training and curricula for corporate leadership and employee audiences to improve LGBT cultural competence and inclusion in the workplace. She lives with her wife of 18 years and their four children in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
“It is an incredible honor to be the first organization chosen as part of Arcus’ leadership initiative. It’s an indication of how important the fight to achieve full LGBT military equality is in our movement and the important role this new generation of LGBT military leaders can and will play in advancing our progress as a community,” said Robinson.
OutServe-SLDN is the association of more than 6000 actively-serving LGBT U.S. military personnel with more than 50 chapters around the world. It 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. It 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.
The Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that supports organizations around the world working to advance equality across the spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI) as well as conservation of the world's great apes. Founded in 2000 by Jon Stryker, the mission of the Arcus Foundation is to achieve social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and race, and to ensure conservation and respect of the great apes. The Foundation works globally and has offices in Kalamazoo, Michigan, New York City and Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world It 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. It 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. OS-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 who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
(NEW YORK, NY) The Arcus Foundation announced today a grant of $50,000 to Out-Serve-SLDN, the global association of actively-serving LGBT U.S. military personnel, to support the leadership of Allyson Robinson, the association’s newly-appointed executive director. The grant is the first of a number of “New Leadership” grants the Foundation plans to make in support of promising social justice leaders and their work. The one-time grants will be an element in a larger initiative that Arcus will launch in 2013 to advance the caliber, diversity and effectiveness of social justice leadership. The initiative is intended to support the leaders’ ability to reach out to key partners, build effective alliances and realize professional development.
“Investments in leadership are key to the success of any movement, and that is why we decided to complement our grantmaking work with these ‘New Leadership ‘ grants,“ said Kevin Jennings, the Foundation’s executive director. “As a soldier, activist and minister, Allyson Robinson has already made extraordinary contributions to our country and to the world. In her new role at OutServe-SLDN, she has a tremendous opportunity for make further positive impact, and this grant is intended to help her maximize that potential.”
Robinson was named Executive Director at OutServe-SLDN in October. In addition to being the newly-combined organization’s first executive director, she is the first transgender person ever named to head a national non-trans-specific LGBT organization. A native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Robinson is a 1994 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she majored in physics. After an internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory, she was commissioned as an officer in the Army and commanded PATRIOT missile units in Europe and the Middle East. She also served as a senior trainer/evaluator for NATO and as an advisor to the armed forces of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. Robinson resigned her commission in 1999 to pursue a calling to Christian ministry, serving as pastor-teacher to churches in the Portuguese Azores and central Texas. She earned a master of divinity degree in theology with a capstone emphasis in social justice from Baylor University in 2007.
Most recently, as the first Deputy Director for Employee Programs of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Workplace Project, Robinson drove the design and delivery of HRC’s broad portfolio of training and curricula for corporate leadership and employee audiences to improve LGBT cultural competence and inclusion in the workplace. She lives with her wife of 18 years and their four children in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
“It is an incredible honor to be the first organization chosen as part of Arcus’ leadership initiative. It’s an indication of how important the fight to achieve full LGBT military equality is in our movement and the important role this new generation of LGBT military leaders can and will play in advancing our progress as a community,” said Robinson.
OutServe-SLDN is the association of more than 6000 actively-serving LGBT U.S. military personnel with more than 50 chapters around the world. It 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. It 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.
The Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that supports organizations around the world working to advance equality across the spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGI) as well as conservation of the world's great apes. Founded in 2000 by Jon Stryker, the mission of the Arcus Foundation is to achieve social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and race, and to ensure conservation and respect of the great apes. The Foundation works globally and has offices in Kalamazoo, Michigan, New York City and Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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ABOUT OUTSERVE-SLDN: OutServe-SLDN is the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel with more than fifty chapters and 6000 members around the world It 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. It 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. OS-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 who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.
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