LGBT Pride . . . and Promise
Posted by Emily in 
LGBT Pride month has produced some glimmers of hope for the future of LGBT servicemembers and veterans. As DADT repeal implementation trudges on, there are individuals in the force, personnel in the VA and, of course, legislators and advocates demonstrating incredible leadership and courage in demanding not only hasty repeal, but respect for and active inclusion of LGBT servicemembers and veterans in anticipation of that repeal.
Stacy Vasquez published the story of her honorable discharge under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell on the official VA blog VAntage “to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride this month.” Citing a long family history of military service and now currently serving as the Deputy Director for Homeless Veteran Initiatives at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Vasquez demonstrates the impeccable service and achievement of LGBT servicemembers and is a beacon for repeal. Vasquez writes for VANtage:
After 12 years of Army service, and attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class, I was honorably discharged after a colleague’s wife disclosed my sexual orientation. I felt as if I had tarnished my family’s military service legacy. Losing my retirement and career had a significant effect on me emotionally. Truthfully, I did not have, nor had I prepared for, life outside of the Army, but I was determined to turn the circumstance into an opportunity. I returned to college on the GI Bill to complete my undergraduate and graduate degrees and became a Presidential Management Fellow. I am very proud to now help eliminate Veteran homelessness with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
I wish I could have met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I think he and I have the same dream–equality and to be judged on the content of character versus a single inherent characteristic. My continued hope is to simply serve my country and Veterans with equality.
In addition to the official VA blog giving voice to Vasquez and her fellow LGBT servicemembers and veterans, the VA is also hosting a “Welcome Home LGBT Veterans” event in Washington, D.C. Long overdue, it is encouraging to see the VA itself taking first steps to not only look ahead to the LGBT servicemembers who will be coming home in the future, but honoring veterans of all eras who returned under the discriminatory policy of DADT. The official description of the event calls it “an opportunity to hear LGBT Veterans’ stories, honor and recognize their service to this Nation, and to learn how VA can demonstrate its commitment to providing quality health care, benefits, and services to LGBT Veterans–past, current, and future.” The event will take place tomorrow from 11am -1pm at the Department of Veterans Affairs G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery Veterans Conference Center, Room 230, 810 Vermont avenue NW, Washington, D.C.
Also seeking to support the specific needs of LGBT veterans is the National Coalition for LGBT Health. The coalition is sponsoring a roundtable for SWAN and other veterans and health organizations to discuss how LGBT health stakeholders can address the needs of our LGBT veterans and better advocate for equal treatment. The roundtable will be in Washington, D.C. on July 28th.
The good news continues with a story in the Wall Street Journal about Sgt. Major Michael Barrett, the Marines’ top non-commissioned officer, unequivocally and aggressively defending repeal and calling on soldiers to show respect and fairness as repeal is implemented:
“Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution is pretty simple,” he told a group of Marines at a base in South Korea. “It says, ‘Raise an army.’ It says absolutely nothing about race, color, creed, sexual orientation.
“You all joined for a reason: to serve,” he continued. “To protect our nation, right?”
“Yes, sergeant major,” Marines replied.
“How dare we, then, exclude a group of people who want to do the same thing you do right now, something that is honorable and noble?” Sgt. Maj. Barrett continued, raising his voice just a notch. “Right?”
Sgt. Maj. Barrett then described conversations with U.K. troops, who saw a similar ban lifted a decade ago, with little disruption. And to drive the point home, he produced a pocket copy of the Constitution.
“Get over it,” he said. “We’re magnificent, we’re going to continue to be. … Let’s just move on, treat everybody with firmness, fairness, dignity, compassion and respect. Let’s be Marines.”
In the continued struggle to see repeal finally and fully implemented, these stories and individuals offer hope that equality is attainable and forthcoming. SWAN applauds these efforts and is honored to celebrate LGBT Pride month, thanking the thousands of LGBT veterans and servicemembers for their service by marching in the NYC Pride Parade this Sunday, June 26th.
Here to Serve All Veterans – VAntage, by Stacy Vasquez
National Coalition for LGBT Health
