My Patriots Pride Press Release
My Patriots Pride to Host National March and Rally in Honor of LGBT Veterans
SAN DIEGO- On Thursday November 11, My Patriots Pride will be holding marches and rallies throughout the US and US territories to raise awareness of LGBT service veterans and their selfless dedication to the
military despite not being able to serve openly.
military despite not being able to serve openly.
“On November 11 every State, district, and territory of the USA will have the opportunity to brag about how wonderful the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) employees of the Department of Defense,
both past and present, really are,” said Lisa Kove, Executive Director of DOD FED GLOBE, who organized the event. “We need to let the world know we are as good as anyone they let serve as openly straight.”
both past and present, really are,” said Lisa Kove, Executive Director of DOD FED GLOBE, who organized the event. “We need to let the world know we are as good as anyone they let serve as openly straight.”
Latham Staples, President and CEO of the Empowering Spirits Foundation, a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) non-profit and non-partisan civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender equality through community service activities, feels it’s important to shine a light on the fact that qualified military personnel continue to be discharged due to their sexual orientation.
While the nation is close to a repeal of the policy, initiated in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, he points out that much still needs to be done. “We are on the cusp of a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ The House of Representatives voted in favor of repeal in May, a federal judge declared DADT unconstitutional in September, and roughly 80 percent of all Americans are in favor of a repeal of this discriminatory policy,” said ESF President and CEO A. Latham Staples. “We are so close yet until our LGBT military personnel are treated equally we must keep up the pressure.”
transgender equality through community service activities, feels it’s important to shine a light on the fact that qualified military personnel continue to be discharged due to their sexual orientation.
While the nation is close to a repeal of the policy, initiated in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, he points out that much still needs to be done. “We are on the cusp of a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ The House of Representatives voted in favor of repeal in May, a federal judge declared DADT unconstitutional in September, and roughly 80 percent of all Americans are in favor of a repeal of this discriminatory policy,” said ESF President and CEO A. Latham Staples. “We are so close yet until our LGBT military personnel are treated equally we must keep up the pressure.”
While events in the continental US will be held, organizers from US territories are also gearing up for the Veterans Day march and rally. "Guam's LGBT community is proud to join the celebration of our LGBT Veterans this year on Veterans Day,” said Guam coordinator Heather Colson. “We are proud of all of our veterans and their sacrifices they have made for us throughout the years. We are working diligently toward a more fair and just future for our LGBT brothers and sisters in arms, so that they may serve openly and without fear of retribution for being who they are. Guam is grateful to our veterans who have served and our soldiers who continue to serve in silence. Their strength and honor will endure."
For additional information, including times, locations, and information on how to get involved, visitmypatriotspride.org.
Comment
Videos
NEWS
© 2013 Created by DOD FED GLOBE.
You need to be a member of DOD FED GLOBE to add comments!
Join DOD FED GLOBE