"It’s not easy to leave SLDN," Sarvis told The Advocate on Wednesday. "But there comes a time to move on, and this feels right. I think the next phase of the battle can be reinvigorated with new blood, new energy. For me, it was certainly a historic time to be here. I was honored to have been here during the fight."

The organization has indicated that Sarvis´ exit was a "planned departure". SLDN has retained the services of executive search firm McCormack and Associates of Palm Springs Calif.

According to Zeke Stokes, SLDN’s communications director, the organization retains 12 employees, and at the moment there are "no other departures to report."

Sarvis and SLDN played a crucial role in the successful 2010 effort to repeal the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” law that prevented open service by gay and lesbian service members in the military.

"Aubrey Sarvis was a hero in the DADT movement," Josh Seefried, co-director of the active duty group OutServe, told the Washington Blade. "He dedicated his life to improving the lives of thousands of gay service members. He led SLDN at the most difficult time and I am sad to see him go. We are excited to work with his replacement."

"The new Executive Director will manage SLDN’s ongoing legal and legislative efforts to change the definition of spouse in three titles of U.S. Code that pertain to benefits for married LGB service members and veterans and dismantle the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)," the statement reads. "He or she will oversee SLDN’s pro bono legal services for LGBT service members, work with the Department of Defense and congressional leaders for effective implementation of open service, and deal with any harassment or discrimination related to sexual orientation or gender identity that may occur."

The SLDN has posted the vacant executive director position at http://www.sldn.org/pages/careers. — Staff