Gay servicemembers suing for reenlistment |
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Seattle Gay News
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posted Friday, December 17, 2010 - Volume 38 Issue 51 Gay servicemembers suing for reenlistmentby Shaun Knittel - SGN Associate Editor A federal lawsuit was filed December 13 on behalf of three servicemembers discharged from the U.S. military under the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' (DADT) policy asking for their reinstatement, according to attorneys representing the three. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. All three servicemembers are represented by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and by the firm Morrison and Foerster. 'This filing is a shot across the bow as we prepare to pursue and sustain an aggressive, far-reaching litigation strategy if the Senate fails to act this month to repeal the law,' Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, said in a statement. 'This dispute can be resolved by Congress or by the courts. With this filing we put Congress on notice that a cadre of servicemembers and our national legal team stand ready to litigate strategically around the country.' The three plaintiffs are Michael D. Almy (U.S. Air Force, 13 years), Anthony J. Loverde (U.S. Air Force, seven years), and Jason D. Knight (U.S. Navy, five years). All three received numerous military awards during their service. 'Today we are asking the court to allow these three brave Americans to fulfill the commitment they made years ago when they joined the military,' M. Andrew Woodmansee of Morrison and Foerster said in a statement. 'They simply want to serve their country, and it is fundamentally un-American to refuse their service merely because they are Gay.' 'Throughout our nation's history, citizens have turned to the courts to remedy injustices when Congress would not act,' Woodmansee said. 'If the Senate will not meet its obligations by ending this unconstitutional law, we will ask the court to step in to protect the rights of my clients as well as all the men and women who wish to serve this country in the military.' |
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