Outserve-SLDN Files Joint Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Marriage Case

(WASHINGTON) March 3, 2015 – OutServe-SLDN today will file a joint amicus brief in the crucial marriage equality case being brought before the Supreme Court this spring.

"Outserve-SLDN along with other LGBT military organizations is proud to present this amicus brief to the Supreme Court of the United States" said Matt Thorn, Interim Executive Director. "The patchwork of marriage equality that has come to fruition across the country since 2012 often disproportionately affects LGBT military personnel and their families and we are hopeful that the Supreme Court will hear that within our brief and in turn usher in a favorable ruling."

"A favorable decision by the Supreme Court will continue to move equality forward for our veterans and actively serving military personal" said John Gillespie, Outserve-SLDN’s co-chair. "This amicus brief is a critical step in demonstrating to the court the impact their decision has across the whole LGBT community."

In the brief, we argue that the piecemeal acceptance of marriage equality in the country harms military personnel, their families and veterans which in turn undermines the readiness and capabilities of our LGBT service members. The brief, prepared for the LGBT military groups, by the law firm Chadbourne & Parke urges the Supreme Court to end this discrimination of same-sex couples caused by the lack of marriage equality in all 50 states and territories by affording the right to marry as those of opposite-sex couples to same-sex marriages.

OutServe-SLDN (OS-SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

With more than fifty chapters and 6,000 members around the world, OS-SLDN supports a professional network of LGBT military personnel and strives to create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. OS-SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. For more information, visit www.outserve-sldn.org.