QLaw Banquet

Annual QLaw Banquet
Thursday, April 29 at 5:30 pm
Hyatt at Olive 8
1635 8th Ave between Olive and Pine, Seattle (map)

The ACLU of Washington and ACLU-WA cooperating attorney Jim Lobsenz of Carney Badley Spellman will be recognized for ongoing work to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," including representation of Major Margaret Witt, a Washington native and decorated flight nurse who was dismissed from service under the discriminatory policy. Details and registration at http://www.q-law.org/Events.

Also to be honored is Governor Chris Gregoire for her continuing work on behalf of the LGBT community. Governor Gregoire has signed more LGBT-friendly legislation than any governor in Washington history, including the Anderson-Murray anti-discrimination bill and all three versions of the state domestic partnership bill. She defended the most recent “everything but marriage” domestic partnership law by campaigning for the approval of Referendum 71.
The keynote speaker is Darren Manzella, a former sergeant in the U.S. Army who served two tours of duty in Iraq. He was promoted three times in his six years as an Army sergeant. In 2006, Mr. Manzella admitted his sexuality to his superiors but was sent back to Iraq for a 15-month tour of duty, serving as an openly gay soldier. In 2008, after coming out publicly on CBS's "60 Minutes," Mr. Manzella was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell” and is an outspoken advocate for its repeal and is a volunteer for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.