Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (more commonly referred to as the meat-wearing, bra-firing, bandage-wrapped musician Lady Gaga) is poised to lead a protest rally in Maine today to bring attention to the military’s contentious “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. The controversial singer/songwriter will be accompanied by gay and straight military veterans. Support for her very public fight to end harassment and discrimination in the military is being supported by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN).
Lady Gaga announced her plans to rally in Maine via her Twitter account last night. She told fans, “Meet me in Portland, Maine 2moro, 9/20 to help repeal #DADT. I'm holding a Rally + speaking live in Deering Oaks Park.”
SLDN posted the following on their official website:
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network will be holding a grassroots rally with young people near the University of Southern Maine campus on today at 4:00 p.m. ET at Deering Oaks Park, Portland, ME, in a major Senate push to break the expected filibuster by Sen. John McCain of the National Defense Authorization Act, to which repeal is included. The key U.S. Senate vote is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Keep updated on Twitter with the hashtag: #4the14k Sign up here.
41 GOP senators are needed in order to block the bill that would allow for discrimination in the military to continue based on a person’s sexual orientation and lifestyle. Currently, there are two GOP senators who are undecided (Maine Republicans Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe). Democrats need both aforementioned parties to vote in favor of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in order to pass the bill and prevent a filibuster.
Army veteran and executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Aubrey Sarvis shared the importance of Gaga’s visit to Maine. “The votes to break McCain’s filibuster are not there. We need [Maine Republican] Sens. [Olympia] Snowe and [Susan] Collins on board; they’re key to us breaking the filibuster. We’re bringing gay and straight service members to Portland to help make the case. And we’re proud to have the support of Lady Gaga to bring grassroots attention to repeal at a critical hour.”
If you are planning to attend the rally in Portland today, here are a few things you should know ahead of time.
WHERE:
Deering Oaks Park
Portland, Maine 04102
WHEN:
Monday, September 20th, 2010
4:00 p.m.
Sign up to RSVP!
Interested volunteers: Arrive to the park (in front of the bandshell) by 2:30pm.
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