OutServe-SLDN

OutServe-SLDN
FormationJuly 2, 2012 (merged)
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Location
  • Worldwide
Membership
>7,000
Executive Director
Andy Blevins
Websitewww.OutServe-SLDN.org

OutServe-SLDN was a network of LGBTQ military personnel, formed as a result of the merger between OutServe and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. OutServe-SLDN was one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world.[1] OutServe was founded by a 2009 graduate of the US Air Force Academy, Josh Seefried (also known as JD Smith to protect his identity) and Ty Walrod. There were over 7,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide.[2]

On July 2, 2012, OutServe announced that it would merge with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an organization that advocates on behalf of and provides legal services to gay and lesbian military personnel and veterans, in October 2012.[3] On October 25, 2012, Allyson Robinson was the first executive director of OutServe-SLDN following the merger of those two organizations.[4] She was the first transgender person to ever lead a national LGBT rights organization that does not have an explicit transgender focus.[5]

As part of an extensive reorganization and a review of the organization's mission and finances, which included some public airing of internal dissension and inability to fund its current operations, Josh Seefried resigned from the Board on July 8, 2013[6][7] Less than nine months after hiring Robinson, OutServe-SLDN's board announced it was bankrupt and had to close its Washington D.C. headquarters; on the same day, Robinson announced that her resignation as executive director would take effect the following day, July 12, 2013.[8][9] The board announced that for at least a year it plans to focus on the financial crisis and the payment of debts, followed by an eventual return to providing "advocacy, development, or other support."[10] Since that time, OutServe-SLDN continued to actively serve its over 7,000 members and in early 2014 engaged with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Marriage Equality Cases in Oklahoma and Utah.[11]

In May 2019, OutServe-SLDN merged with the American Military Partner Association (AMPA) to form the Modern Military Association of America (MMAA), a united voice for the LGBTQ military and veteran community.[12] MMAA continues the missions of both OutServe-SLDN and AMPA through education, advocacy, and support for LGBTQ service members, veterans, military spouses, family members and allies.[13]

  1. ^ Rothaus, Steve (July 7, 2012). "Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, OutServe vote to merge into one organization". The Miami Herald. Retrieved September 17, 2012.
  2. ^ "About OutServe". outserve.org. OutServe. 2011. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  3. ^ "Stronger. Together. SLDN, OutServe Boards Announce Intent to Combine". SLDN.org (Press release). July 2, 2012. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
  4. ^ "SLDN & Outserve Tap Army Veteran To Lead Newly Combined Organization". Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  5. ^ Geidner, Chris (October 25, 2012). "Military Group Picks Trans Woman As Leader". Buzzfeed. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
  6. ^ Brydum, Sunnivie (June 24, 2013). "Allyson Robinson to Continue as OutServe-SLDN Director for 'Near Term'". The Advocate. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  7. ^ Snow, Justin (June 24, 2013). "OutServe-SLDN Executive Director Allyson Robinson to stay on temporarily after board upset". MetroWeekly. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  8. ^ Aravosis, John (July 11, 2013). "Allyson Robinson announces resignation as ED of OutServe-SLDN". Americablog. Archived from the original on August 25, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  9. ^ Aravosis, John (July 12, 2013). "OutServe-SLDN closes headquarters, reveals organization is bankrupt". Americablog. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  10. ^ Aravosis, John (July 12, 2013). "OutServe-SLDN closes headquarters, reveals organization is bankrupt". Americablog. Archived from the original on August 9, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  11. ^ Schaaf, Brian (March 3, 2014). "Amicus Brief filed today to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit". SLDN.org. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  12. ^ Peters, Stephen. "Our Mission". modernmilitary.org. Modern Military Association of America. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  13. ^ Peters, Stephen. "Modern Military Association of America". modernmilitary.org. Modern Military Association of America. Retrieved August 13, 2019.