Brain Injury Newsroom

Organization Dedicated To Ending Discrimination Against And Harassment Of Military Personnel Affected By 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun, a 2004 Democratic presidential candidate and former United States Senator, will keynote the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) national dinner in Washington on May 7.

A long-time proponent of allowing gays to serve our country openly, Braun has also advocated for human rights and civil liberties at the local, state, national and international level. Ambassador Braun has served our country as a United States Senator (1992-98), U.S. Ambassador (1999-2001), as well as County Executive Officer, State Representative, and Assistant United States Attorney. Since her return in 2001 from her ambassadorial posting to New Zealand, she has taught law and political science at Morris Brown College and DePaul University, along with a business law practice and business consultancy in Chicago.

In 1993, during the Senate debate on gays in the military, Braun noted that, "As we listen to those who tell us that gays and lesbians will destroy the military, the simple truth is that this debate is not about military capability at all. It is about irrational fears and prejudices. It is about civil rights and leadership in a democratic society." As a candidate for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination she said that, "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was a mistake; it was an embarrassment; it should have never happened."

"Ambassador Braun has taken a leadership position on national security, advocating for the inclusion of all qualified Americans, regardless of sexual orientation," said Executive Director C. Dixon Osburn. "We are honored that she will join us in Washington."

SLDN's national dinner will also honor Deb Price of the Detroit News. Price, an openly lesbian columnist for the News, will receive the organization's "Randy Shilts Visibility Award" for her work in bringing attention to the service of LGBT service personnel. Price recently wrote that, "Everywhere U.S. troops are deployed ... gay Americans are putting their lives on the line for our country. Certainly it's time for the rest of us -- civilians and military folks alike -- to stand up for them."

SLDN will also be honoring Vietnam veterans on the 30th anniversary of the end of the war. Vietnam veterans interested in participating should contact SLDN for more details.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and related forms of intolerance.