FOR YEARS, THE FEW SOLDIERS who even imagined that there might be help available when they were caught in the military's sticky web of official homophobia had only the extremely rare sympathetic civilian attorney or movement patriarch Frank Kameny to, for instance, fight to have their dishonorable discharge upgraded to a general discharge. And, although public discussion goes back to at least 1960, and demonstrations against antigay military policies began in 1964, there was virtually no continuing effort beyond that of the tireless Kameny, who was Leonard's inspiration, to change the policies.
IN 1990, MIRIAM BEN-SHALOM and five other vets formed the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America [now known as American Veterans for Equal Rights], the first group association dedicated specifically to publicly advocating for gay equality and fair treatment in the military. And, in 1993, attorney C. Dixon Osburn and former Army captain Michelle Benecke created the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network [SLDN], the first national professional organization focused entirely on one LGBT rights issue.
Though repeal is now here, out gay and lesbian service members may face discrimination IN the military in such things as assignment, evaluations, promotions, and partner benefits which are NOT all banned by DOMA. In addition, some of those who were discharged are seeking to reenlist or upgrades of their discharge characterization. SLDN will continue to provide free, confidential legal services at 202-328-3244 Extension 100 or e-mail legal@sldn.org.
Please be aware that if you are using a government computer, server, or telephone, what you say or write may be monitored. There is no such thing as "private" communication when using military computers, e-mail accounts, or telephones—or even one's personal computer or cell phone on base or ship.
Click to see upcoming SLDN events around the country.
