The LGBT Community Center presents The Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell from an Insider’s Perspective, featuring U.S. Congresswoman Susan Davis, Aug. 31, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at The Center (3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest). In addition, Michael Magee, board co-chairman of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, will discuss the implementation of the policy’s repeal.
“Susan has been an absolute leader in this issue,” Magee said. “She has really been fantastic.”
As then-chairwoman of the Military Personnel Subcommittee, San Diego’s own congresswoman played a key role in enacting the legislation that lifted the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly. She was an original cosponsor of the bill to repeal DADT, held the first (of several) congressional hearings on the policy 15 years after its inception and helped lead the floor debate when the issue finally passed the House of Representatives.
“The end of DADT was a major civil rights victory for the LGBT community,” Davis told the San Diego LGBT Weekly. “I was proud to play a key role in overturning this policy of discrimination, but it was the community that did the heavy lifting by keeping the issue in the spotlight and never giving up. I hope to share with the community what it took politically to make such an historic accomplishment as the LGBT community strategizes for future struggles.”
The event will include a short speech by Davis, a video presentation and a question and answer session.
After Davis’ presentation, Magee will be speaking on how the repeal is rolling out and address any potential problems with the end of DADT. He says there have been some “bumps in the road,” but the process has gone quite well. “The military has shown great dignity and great professionalism on how they have dealt with this. The military has just been incredible,” he said.
Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP to Jessica Poole at 619-280-5353. For more information about the Servicememembers Legal Defense Network, log on to sldn.org.
