SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Feb. 20 -- The February 21st reception at San Antonio's Church Bistro and Theatre is the first in a series of national forums educating Americans on political efforts to lift the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the U.S. military. The event which will feature Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), the national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," will be an opportunity for San Antonio residents to learn about legislative efforts to repeal the law, including the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, the Congressional bill to repeal the law.

"Americans across the country, and right here in San Antonio, are demanding that Congress place military readiness ahead of discrimination," said Sarvis. "This reception represents an opportunity to build grassroots support and engage opinion makers in Central Texas on the efforts of SLDN to lift the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the U.S. military."

The Congressional bill, which would repeal the law mandating that the U.S. military fire lesbian and gay employees, currently has the support of 141 Members of Congress, including area Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-25th). Texas is home to more than 66,000 lesbian and gay military veterans. Another 65,000 lesbian and gay service members are estimated to be on active duty and in the reserves of the United States armed forces. Since 1993, more than 12,000 men and women have been dismissed under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is an unreasonable and unnecessary law that compromises our national security interests," said Paul Boskind, Ph.D., the events host and SLDN board member. "This reception is the first in a series of similar forums, around the country, which will educate Americans on Congressional efforts to lift the ban."

The reception will be held at the Church Bistro and Theatre at 1150 S. Alamo in San Antonio. Doors open at 6pm.

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. For more information, visit http://www.sldn.org/.