Base diversity commitee celebrates Pride Month
The Naval Air Station Corpus Christi and Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi Diversity Committees held an LGBT Pride Month observance in the NHCCC Crew’s Lounge, June 25.
During the month of June, the DOD recognizes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members and civilians for their dedicated service to both the DoD mission and to the nation.
“Throughout history, brave LGBT Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have served and fought for our nation,” said diversity committee member ET1 Ebony Griner. “Their readiness and willingness to serve has made our military stronger and our nation safer.”
The month of June was chosen as Pride Month to commemorate the events of June 1969 in New York City known as the “Stonewall Riots,” which are largely regarded as the beginning of the LGBT rights movement. Pride Month serves as a time for the LGBT community to come together and with their family, friends and allies and take pride in themselves and their achievements.
Many LGBT persons today and in the past have served in the military. Many have gone on to become pioneers for the LGBT rights cause.
In 1978, artist Gilbert Baker, a former Army medic, designed the rainbow flag as a symbol of LGBT pride and social movements. The colors reflect the diversity of the LGBT community. The rainbow flag consists of six stripes, with the colors red (life), orange (healing), yellow (sunlight), green (nature), blue (serenity), and violet (spirit).
Harvey Milk joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean War when he served aboard the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake as a diving officer. After serving in the U.S. Navy, became one of the first openly gay elected officials in 1977.
Frank Kameny, who served in World War II, and was a civil service astronomer with the U.S. Army Map Service, was fired and banned from federal employment in 1957 because he was gay. He became the central figure in confronting the government’s policies against the employment of gays and lesbians. His collection of thousands of pages of letters, government correspondence, testimony and photographs is perhaps the most complete record of the gay-rights movement in America.
Anthony Loverde had been an Air Force staff sergeant for seven years when he was discharged under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy after telling his commander that he was gay in 2008. He then took part in the legal battle challenging the constitutionality of DADT. In May 2012, he reentered the Air Force as a staff sergeant, becoming the second person and first gay Airman to return to active duty since DADT was repealed.
In August of 2012, Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith became the first openly gay officer of flag rank in the United States Army. She was promoted in a ceremony at Arlington at which Smith’s wife, Tracey Hepner, pinned the star onto her uniform.
“We will continue to take great pride in all that these men and women contribute to the DOD and our mission,” said Griner. “Their hard work and sacrifices make them respected members of our DOD family.”