The University of Virginia

 

2000 MAYES AWARD RECIPIENT
Michelle Benecke
Arlington, VA

 

 
Michelle Benecke founded the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in 1993 to combat the injustices caused by the government's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and with the goal of eliminating the military's policy of blatant discrimination against gay and lesbian service members.  Under her leadership, SLDN created an annual report, "Conduct Unbecoming," which documented the rise in anti-gay harassment and expulsions under DADT as carried out by the Clinton administration. 

Michelle received her B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1983, having received a full tuition ROTC scholarship.  After graduating, Michelle served as an army lieutenant, specializing in air defense artillery.  Over the next six years she rose to the rank of captain and command of a Hawk antiaircraft missile battery. Michelle attended Harvard Law School with the military's financial assistance.  While in law school, Michelle was accused of "lesbianism," and subjected to the witch hunt that many now acknowledge to be a common method of driving women out of the military.

As a result, she co-authored an article with a classmate, Kirstin Dode, which was published in the 1990 Harvard Women's Law Journal, "Women in Nontraditional Fields: Casualties of the Armed Forces' War on Homosexuals." SLDN, under the direction of Michelle Benecke and the organization's cofounder, C. Dixon Osborne, has provided unparalleled support for over 2,500 servicemembers who have been targeted for harassment and expulsion due to their sexual orientation. SLDN's efforts have also resulted in more than 30 improvements in the way the Pentagon carries out its anti-gay policy.

Michelle stepped down from her post at SLDN in 2001, and, along with her partner and family, is considering what comes next.  Not only is Michelle an inspiration to LGBT people everywhere, but she is a particular friend to and supporter of the Serpentine Society.