SU Executive Director Testifies as Lead Witness in DADT Trial

Case Challenges Constitutionality of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Law in Court

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

07/20/2010

Contact:

Jarrod Chlapowski - 252.721.8152 | JChlapowski@servicemembersunited.org (on-site)

Clint King - 202.349.3803 | cking@servicemembersunited.org (in Washington, DC)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, announced that its founder and Executive Director, Alexander Nicholson, will testify today as the lead witness in the lawsuit brought by the Log Cabin Republicans to challenge the constitutionality of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. The case, which is being tried in federal court in Riverside, California, seeks to have the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law declared unconstitutional and all discharges under the law enjoined.

"I am especially honored to be the lead veteran witness in this case and to have the opportunity to represent all gay and lesbian troops and veterans on the witness stand today at this very important and historic trial," said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former U.S. Army interrogator who was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." "This unnecessary and bigoted law has caused untold harm to each and every person who has served under it, and that, in turn, has harmed the quality and readiness of our armed forces."

The case, Log Cabin Republicans vs. U.S.A., was originally filed in 2004. Since last July, the case has picked up steam and moved forward at a rapid pace, despite the Justice Department's unusual attempts to obstruct the case's progress.

Many of the original case documents can be found at www.DADTArchive.org. For more information about Servicemembers United, please visit www.servicemembersunited.org.

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Servicemembers United, a non-profit and non-partisan organization, is the nation's largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans and their allies. Based in Washington, DC, Servicemembers United actively engages in education, advocacy, and lobbying on issues affecting the gay military, veteran, and defense community.