WASHINGTON -- Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) and OutServe, two military gay-rights groups that were formed to fight the Pentagon's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, said today that they plan to merge.

SLDN and OutServe made the announcement via a video posted on YouTube by Aubrey Sarvis of SLDN and Josh Seefried of OutServe.

With the successful repeal of DADT, both groups have been searching for a new identity. The focus will now shift toward pushing the Pentagon to fully implement equality for openly serving troops and their families, as well as pushing for the end of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies full military benefits for gay and lesbian couples.

SLDN has been around for about 20 years, while OutServe has functioning for about two years. When the two groups combine, the new organization will reach more than 5,000 troops and 100,000 supporters.