Human Rights Campaign Kicks Off "A Legacy of Service" National Tour in Iowa: Tour to Feature Sen. Gronstal, Iowa and American Heroes Speaking Out Against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

By One Iowa

With an eye towards the Iowa caucuses in January, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay civil rights organization, will kick-off a national tour against the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in Des Moines, Iowa on June 12. 

The Des Moines event will feature Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and former Naval Intelligence Specialist and Sioux City, IA native James Taylor.

“A Legacy of Service” national tour will also former Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American servicemember wounded in Iraq, along with other veterans standing united and speaking out for the repeal of this discriminatory policy that continues to harm our nation’s security.
The kick-off for the tour comes days after the Democratic and Republican Presidential debates aired live on CNN where the issue of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” took center stage.  When asked to raise their hand if they support the repeal of the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, every Democratic candidate raised their hand in support of repeal.  Standing in stark contrast, not a single Republican candidate spoke out in support of repealing the policy.

Tour stops includes Des Moines, Iowa; Phoenix, Ariz.; Orlando, Fla.; Palm Springs, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; and New Hampshire.  

To find out more about the national tour, please visit: 

www.hrc.org/legacyofservice

Des Moines, Iowa kick-off of “A Legacy of Service”, a national tour to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

Senator Mike Gronstal, Majority Leader of the Iowa State Senate
James Taylor, Sioux City resident and former Naval Intelligence Specialist;
Eric Alva, former Marine Staff Sergeant and the first U.S. servicemember injured in Iraq;
Antonio Agnone, former Marine Officer who recently served a tour of duty in Iraq
Alex Nicholson, former Army Arabic linguist;
Jarrod Chlapowski, former Army Intelligence Linguist
Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign President       

Tuesday, June 12
7:00 p.m.     
Iowa Historical Society Atrium
600 East Locust Street
Des Moines, IA  50319

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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