Last Thursday 30 July 2015, American Veterans for Equal Rights joined OUTSERVE for the first ever 2d Marine Logistics Group LGBT Pride Event aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The event was attended by 2d MLG Commander Brigadier General Charles G. Chiarotti and other members of his command staff. OUTSERVE members Marine SSgt Monique Clarke and National Treasurer Jeffry Piela-Tam, US Navy Hospital Corpsman, coordinated the event for OUTSERVE. Continue reading
Department of Veteran Affairs LGBT SURVEY
“LGBT VETERANS SURVEY:
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) researchers are studying how stigma and harassment experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) service members while in the military is associated with current individual and social health-related factors and health outcomes. The study asks military Veterans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender to complete a 15-20 minute anonymous survey about their military experiences and their current personal health and healthcare experiences. Survey results will be used to better understand how negative experiences in the military may affect future health. Our ultimate goal is to provide clinically appropriate and culturally sensitive health care for LGBT Veterans. The survey is anonymous; no personal identifiers are collected. Participants do not need to be enrolled in VA care to complete the survey. Participants do not need to be “out” about their LGBT identity to complete the survey. The study seeks a broad representation of LGBT military Veterans, especially people living in rural areas.
To take the survey, follow this link: VA Survey of LGBT Military Veterans and Healthcare Experiences
DoD Transgender Policy Change
DoD Transgender Policy Change
On July 13th, 2015 Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced a long awaited policy change that will lead to allowing open Transgender service by early next year. The full details are explained in the actual DoD press release below.
Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality
AMERICAN VETERANS FOR EQUAL RIGHTS
June 26, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
RE: Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Equality
Atlanta, GA (JUN 26, 2015) –American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), the nation’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Veterans Service Organization, applauds the decision of the United States Supreme Court in extending the constitutionally mandated legal rights and protections of civil marriage to committed same-sex couples in every state of our nation. As proud military veterans who have sworn an oath to defend America’s freedom, AVER is deeply gratified that “liberty and justice for all” remains an essential element of our country’s core belief in shared equality for every citizen. This decision by the Supreme Court will extend the same benefits and privileges that are provided to the families of our honored veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs to the married spouses and children of Lesbian and Gay veterans in every part of our country, benefits from which they were previously excluded in states that did not recognize same sex marriages.
Contact:
AVER Public Affairs, Denny Meyer 718.849.5665 publicaffairs@aver.us
AVER President, Steve Loomis, LTC, USA, Ret 505.301.1737
AVER Honors American Heroes on Memorial Day in Washington DC
AVER Honors American Heroes on Memorial Day in Washington DC
by Danny Ingram
Near a quiet intersection in Washington’s Congressional Cemetery, in a plot of land commonly known as the “gay corner,” the gravesite of Leonard Matlovich rests beneath a small tree providing shade to the black granite memorial to one of America’s most prominent LGBT activists. Memorial Day, 2015, marks the 40th anniversary that United States Air Force Technical Sergeant Leonard Matlovich came out in the national press to challenge the military’s policy of discrimination against LGBT service members. A Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, Leonard Matlovich did more to open the door to LGBT service than perhaps any other individual. Continue reading
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Monument to LGBT Veterans Dedication Date
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Monument to LGBT Veterans Dedication Date – May 25, 2015 Memorial Day by James Darby
On Monday, May 25, 2015 the Chicago chapter of AVER dedicated a monument to lgbt veterans at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the U.S. in the VA cemetery system. This is the first monument in a National VA cemetery dedicated solely to lgbt veterans by lgbt veterans. It rained heavily in the morning but by noon it cleared up and turned out to be an absolutely beautiful day. More than 100 guests, friends and visitors started streaming into the Valley of Monuments area guided by 35 flag carrying members of Organized Chaos, a Chicago based Women’s Motorcycle Club. A half dozen TV stations had already set up their equipment before everyone got there. ALNC is located 50 miles southwest of Chicago, so AVER Chicago chartered a free bus. Once the bus arrived President Reinhart started the ceremony. Eight members of AV ER posted the colors, the Pledge of Allegiance was done by everyone and the National Anthem was sung by the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus. The Invocation was given by three members of the clergy – Father Chris Meyers, a Catholic Priest, Reverend Wayne Bradley, a Protestant Minister and Cindy Enger, a Jewish Rabbi. All three spoke so eloquently that we could see tears flowing from many of those present. It was an extremely emotional experience for everyone. Continue reading