It has been over three years since President Obama signed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" into law. The decision affected Presidential campaigns and surely many a Facebook debate, but more profoundly, it forever impacted the lives of LGBT service members. As a part of the Southern Stories Summer Tour, GLAAD is proud to partner with the American Military Partner Association in hosting a dinner for LGBT service members and their families to hear firsthand their stories of service, sacrifice, and patriotism.
The American Military Partner Association (AMPA) is the nation’s largest resource and support network for the partners, spouses, families, and allies of America’s LGBT service members and veterans. Since 2009, AMPA's mission has been to connect, honor, and serve the partners and spouses of America’s LGBT service members and veterans by offering education, advocacy, and support.
On Sunday June 14 in Pensacola, AMPA and GLAAD will host a dinner to discuss life before and after repeal of the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. We will also explore the impact of marriage equality on military families, how LGBT troop members feel supported from their commanders, how they form community on the bases, and where the movement for openly transgender servicemembers can go from here.
Please note that this is a private meeting open only to LGBT military service members and their families. For more information, please contact Ross Murray, Director of the Southern Stories program at rmurray@glaad.org.
The Concert for Love and Acceptance will kick off GLAAD's six-state Southern Stories bus tour as we hit the road and travel across the Deep South sharing stories of LGBT Southerners, allies, and advocates. Get your tickets for the Concert for Love and Acceptance and find out more about GLAAD's Southern Stories Summer Tour and get the schedule at glaad.org/summertour.
The Concert for Love and Acceptance and GLAAD's Southern Stories Summer Tour are produced with support from Major Partner, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and Official Partner, Honey Maid. Follow @glaad on Twitter to keep up to date on all the latest Concert for Love and Acceptance and Southern Stories Summer Tour news!