Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) was an organization dedicated to ending the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prohibited openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the U.S. armed forces. It provided legal support, advocacy, and education to protect service members’ rights, and worked to promote equality and fair treatment within the military. The organization played a significant role in the policy’s eventual repeal in 2011, helping to ensure that sexual orientation no longer disqualifies individuals from military service.