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: