OUTSERVE HAILS DADT CERTIFICATION
Actively Serving LGBT Military Association Praises Panetta, Obama, Mullen

WASHINGTON, DC, July 22, 2011– OutServe, the association of actively serving LGBT military personnel, hailed the announcement that Secretary of Defense Panetta, President Obama and Admiral Mullen certified the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” today.

“This is a welcome step, and reflects what our members are saying, that the military is ready to move beyond ‘DADT’,” said “JD Smith,” OutServe’s active-duty co-director, who is identified by a pseudonym while “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is still in effect. “In 60 days, my life and the lives of thousands of other gay and lesbian troops changes. I cannot be more proud to be able to serve during this time.”

“This day has been a long time in coming. Soon, we will see that gay and lesbian troops demonstrate the same professionalism that is the hallmark of our armed forces, and that all military personnel will prove more professional than some have given them credit for,” added OutServe spokesperson and combat vet Jonathan Hopkins. “Through our work with the Pentagon, we are confident they have worked hard to devise smart policies as we move forward. As we move forward, what matters most is leadership.”

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Hopkins, a West Point grad and highly decorated former Infantry Captain, was mentioned by President Obama in his remarks at the signing of the DADT repeal bill.

About OutServe OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With over 3,800 members and 42 chapters worldwide, it is the one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity.

OutServe Summit (www.outserve.org/summit) OutServe is planning a post-repeal conference in October, the OutServe Armed Forces Leadership Summit. The conference is intended to provide an international forum on improving military readiness through an environment of respect with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. The Summit, October 14-16 in LasVegas, will feature respected and well-known authorities speaking on a range of topics, intriguing and groundbreaking panels, and interactive workshops that address diversity as a strength.

To register for the conference please go to www.outserve.org/summit.

Members of the media interested in attending should contact Sue Fulton, OutServe Communications Director, at sue.fulton@outserve.org.