BREAKING: Verdict in McLaughlin vs Hagel‏

Dear Friend,

There was a ruling today in the OS-SLDN case challenging DoD and VA on recognition of LGBT military and veteran families by DoD and the VA. 

Judge Richard Stearns ruled today that OS-SLDN and Chadbourne & Parke clients, led by Maj. Shannon McLaughlin and her wife Casey, are entitled to judgment in their favor.  This decision in McLaughlin v. Hagel confirms that Servicemembers, Veterans, and their family members are entitled to equal protection with respect to administration of benefits by both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Our clients in the case:

Major Shannon McLaughlin, ARNG and Casey McLaughlin
Major Steve Snyder-Hill, USAR and Joshua Snyder-Hill
Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) Charlie Morgan, ARNG and Karen Morgan
Lieutenant Gary Ross, USN and Dan Ross
Lieutenant Colonel Vicki Hudson, USAR and Monika Poxon
Airman First Class (A1C) Daniel Henderson, USAF and Jerret Henderson
Captain Joan Darrah, USN (Retired) and Lynne Kennedy
Colonel Stewart Bornhoft, USA (Retired) and former Lieutenant Stephen McNabb, USN
We urge Secretary Shinseki to immediately provide access to all VA benefits to eligible LGBT Servicemembers, Veterans, and their dependents.

Congratulations to our clients and many thanks to an incredible legal team! 
Also a huge thank you to all of our supporters for making this work possible.  Without your generous donations this would not have happened.
Sincerely,
                                                                 
John P. Gillespie, Lt Col, USAFR, DC                               Jeffrey A. Mueller, Maj, USAF      
Co-Chair, OutServe-SLDN Board                        Co-Chair, OutServe-SLDN Board