John Banvard, a 95 year-old World War II veteran, married his partner Gerard Nadeau, a 67 year-old Vietnam veteran, at the Chula Vista Veteran's Home in California in September of this year after 20 years together. It was the first time Chula Vista Veteran's Home hosted a wedding ceremony between two male veterans.
This Pride Month, the LGBT community and its allies should take time to honor those lesbian, gay and bisexual servicemembers who served in silence, and all of our proud transgender men and women who were - and are still - forced to do so.
As the United States celebrates and commemorates the strong men and women dedicated to serving our country on Memorial Day, LGB citizens serving in the military are faced with the conflict inherent in serving openly as LGB after the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” while fighting for a country that still refuses to acknowledge their relationships.
This guest blog post comes to us from mixed martial artist Liz Carmouche, who is about to become the first openly gay fighter and one of the first two female fighters in the history of UFC.
In its latest issue, OutServe Magazine, a bi-monthly publication highlighting issues of importance to LGBT servicemembers in the U.S. Armed Forces, shares the stories of transgender military professionals as they navigate the incredible hardships of living closeted lives to maintain their careers.