Army Veteran and OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson released the following statement in response to tonight’s State of the Union Address by President Barack Obama:
“President Obama was very clear tonight in his assertion that lesbian
and gay service members and their families must be treated equally by
the nation they serve. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta opened the path
to equal recognition, benefits, and support to gay and lesbian service
members this week. To finish the task, the Supreme Court must strike
down the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. Secretary Panetta's
successor must enact equal opportunity and non-discrimination policies
that protect LGBT troops and ensure America's military can attract and
retain America's best. And outmoded, obsolete policies that bar
qualified American patriots who are transgender from military service
must be eliminated. At OutServe-SLDN, we and our 6,000 LGBT members in
uniform stand ready to work with the President, Congress, and the
Pentagon to make this vision a reality.”