Gay rights groups plan military families summit
Published: January 26, 2012
WASHINGTON – Gay rights groups are planning a national summit in May to tackle issues of equality and support services for same-sex couples in the military community.
Organizers said the May 14-15 event will include outreach to lawmakers and defense officials to push for fairer laws regarding the treatment of gay troops and their partners or spouses. Since “don’t ask, don’t tell” was repealed last fall, the rights groups have shifted their efforts to fighting for equal recognition by the Defense Department of same-sex couples, which would entitle non-military partners to base access, benefits and support services.
The event is sponsored by OutServe, Human Rights Campaign, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and Courage Campaign. In a statement, OutServe co-director Air Force Lt. Josh Seefried said the goal is to “educate decision-makers, as private citizens, how our families are affected (by the inequality) and send a clear message that our families matter.”
More information is available at the OutServe web site.
