RIVERSIDE – The head of Servicemembers United will testify today in the lawsuit brought by Log Cabin Republicans to challenge the constitutionality of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy” (DADT).

Alexander Nicholson, founder and executive director of the nation’s largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, is scheduled to be one of the lead witnesses in the trial in federal court in Riverside. The plaintiffs hope to get DADT declared unconstitutional and that all discharges under the policy enjoined.

"I am especially honored to be the lead veteran witness in this case and to have the opportunity to represent all gay and lesbian troops and veterans on the witness stand today at this very important and historic trial," said Nicholson, a former U.S. Army interrogator who was discharged under DADT.

"This unnecessary and bigoted law has caused untold harm to each and every person who has served under it, and that, in turn, has harmed the quality and readiness of our armed forces," he said.

The case, Log Cabin Republicans v. U.S.A., was originally filed in 2004. Since last July, the case has picked up steam and moved forward at a rapid pace, despite the Justice Department's unusual attempts to obstruct the case's progress.

Many of the original case documents can be found at www.DADTArchive.org. For more information about Servicemembers United, visit www.servicemembersunited.org.