Lead plaintiffs in DOMA case call for the freedom to marry in new video
Posted on Oct 23, 2012 at 10:45 am
This week marks the first anniversary of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) announcing the filing of McLaughlin v. Panetta, a landmark lawsuit challenging the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. Now, the lead plaintiffs in the case - Major Shannon McLaughlin of the Massachusetts National Guard and her wife Casey - are speaking out against DOMA in a new video.
‘The Story of Monica & Naomi’ video wins two awards at the W3 Awards
Posted on Oct 22, 2012 at 04:30 pm
This week, "The Story of Monica and Naomi," the launch video in "Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry" our joint campaign with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, won Best in Show and a Gold Award at the W3 Awards, which recognizes the creative forces behind award-winning websites, videos, and campaigns.
Documentary showcases CW2 Charlie Morgan’s fight against DOMA and cancer
Posted on Oct 03, 2012 at 03:48 pm
A new release from The Legal Stranger Project takes a look at the life of Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) Charlie Morgan, who recently returned from a deployment in Kuwait and is now battling incurable stage-four breast cancer. Should she not survive, her wife Karen would be unable to access any of the survivor benefits that she would need to take care of their five-year-old daughter Casey Elena.
For Summer and Celeste, DOMA repeal means protection for their daughter
Posted on Sep 26, 2012 at 09:30 am
Although they have been together for almost three years, Summer says that she and fiancé Celeste struggle to have their relationship recognized by the Army. This is largely due to the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which forces the U.S. military to discriminate against same-sex couples and their families because it denies federal respect of marriages between same-sex couples.
Launch of Veterans United in Minnesota extends Andrew Wilfahrt’s legacy
Posted on Sep 25, 2012 at 11:15 am
Today, Minnesota state representative Tim Walz will lead the launch of Veterans United, a coalition of U.S. military veterans who oppose a proposed constitutional amendment banning the freedom to marry, which Minnesotans will vote on in November.
Artist documents same-sex military couples in new photo project
Posted on Sep 20, 2012 at 10:45 am
This fall, Tatjana Plitt, an artist from Australia, is working to document gay and lesbian service members, who for the first time can publicly express their love and commitment to their husbands, wives, or partners. We speak with Tatjana about her motivations for the project and how we can use art to explore important political and human issues.
Five ways the Defense of Marriage Act hurts gay and lesbian military families
Posted on Sep 20, 2012 at 09:30 am
Today is the first anniversary of the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the military policy that prohibited gay and lesbian service members from serving openly and honestly in the U.S. military. But even though gay and lesbian service members can now serve openly, they continue to face discrimination from the federal government.
Airman First Class Henderson and husband explain how DOMA hurts their family
Posted on Aug 23, 2012 at 10:00 am
Today, Freedom to Marry and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network released a new video in our joint Freedom to Serve, Freedom to Marry campaign, which spotlights the ways in which the marriages of gay and lesbian service members are not respected by the federal government. The latest video in the series features Airman First Class Daniel Henderson and his husband Jerret, who married in Iowa
Army Brigadier General Smith becomes highest-ranking openly gay service member
Posted on Aug 13, 2012 at 01:45 pm
Last week, Army Brigadier General Tammy Smith came out publicly for the first time during a promotion ceremony, where her wife, Tracey Hepner, pinned a new star to Brig. Gen. Smith's uniform. The promotion makes Brig. Gen. Smith the highest-ranking openly gay military figure currently serving.
Retired Navy captain wants to ask the Republican Party to support the freedom to marry
Posted on Aug 10, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Yesterday, retired Navy Captain Joan Darrah wrote a letter to the chair of the Republican Party Platform Committee asking that he allow her to testify about why the Republican party should include planks in their official platform calling for the repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and support of the freedom to marry for all couples. The chair denied her request, and now Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is sponsoring a petition to support Capt. Darrah.