Nine members, one new member, and five allies walked in solidarity with a broad range of LGBT organizations on October 11, 2009 in the National Equality March (www.equalityacrossamerica.org).

We marched with other veterans' groups that are working to repeal DADT and against discrimination against LGBT people in the military.

Following a resolution passed at our convention in August that called for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell a request was sent to the ED and Board by Martin Smith (IVAW Central Illinois) and Phil Aliff (IVAW Atlanta) urging an endorsement of the march and participation by the membership.

IVAW's resolution:

A resolution regarding the Department of Defense “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy (submitted by Wes Davey)

Whereas, LGBT service members have given honorable military service to our country during peacetime and war and continue to serve honorably in Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever the United States military is currently deployed or stationed;

Whereas, since its inception Iraq Veterans Against the War has called for full benefits to returning service members, benefits which are often denied to LGBT service members discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy;

Whereas, Iraq Veterans Against the War has a policy of non-discrimination based on sexual orientation;

Therefore be it resolved that Iraq Veterans Against the War stands against discrimination within the military based on sexual orientation and supports the immediate repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy;

Additionally, notwithstanding our support for an immediate repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, we call for the President to issue an executive order which would immediately suspend all discharges and investigations under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy until the President and Congress discuss the policy and a decision is made to end the policy or continue it.

Adopted: August 8, 2009