Gay army soldier

A Vietnam Veteran, Sgt. Leonard Matlovich was the first gay man to ever disclose his sexual orientation while serving in the United States Air Force. His picture, along with the massive headline: “I Am a Homosexual,” covered the September 8, edition of Time. Since as long ago as the Revolutionary War, members of the LGBTQ+ community have been serving in the American military.

Times back then weren't as open as they are in today's day and age, so let's look back at some of the greatest LGBTQ military heroes who contributed to our nation’s safety and security. Here are 12 LGBTQ War Heroes and their stories. 1. Baron Friedrich von Steuben. George Washington hired this Prussian military man to shape the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Apart from being brave and disciplined, several historians claim that Steuben was a homosexual.

can gay people join the military 2025

At 33, Prussian soldier Friedrich von Steuben had served as aide de camp to Frederick the Great, who was rumored to be gay. Von Steuben found himself discharged from the Prussian Army after. Gay and Lesbian soldiers faced extraordinary discrimination during World War II. Most found new communities of people and thrived despite the oppression.

Discover the film Coming Out Under Fire that shares their story. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. I was 17 years old, in a room beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, and my parents had agreed to support my unwavering commitment to serve as a fresh recruit in the United States Army. While a gleaming sense of honor enveloped me, there was an undeniable fear lingering in my eyes, stemming from the daunting task of standing tall as a queer soldier.

This fear was not new, but from past trauma from the experiences I had growing up. During my childhood, I was constantly reminded that being queer was not something to be proud of. Being overcome with feelings of loneliness and abandonment was normal, especially when I heard the quiet whispers behind my back. I didn't feel like a man, but rather a complete outcast for one simple reason: I liked boys.

I never could comprehend how something that seemed so small led to so much hate. I enlisted in the Army in , shortly after the devastating Pulse nightclub shooting. During this moment, I couldn't help but be consumed by its harrowing aftermath. The thought relentlessly played over and over again in my mind. A profound realization struck me: Love should be inconsequential, for we all wear the same uniform.

As a proud Army Officer, I have dedicated years of my life serving to protect the precious freedoms we hold so dear. But as a gay man, I have been fighting my whole life to enjoy the very privileges I am entitled to as both a beholder and protector of them. I was one of few soldiers who joined the service before graduating high school, but the administration at the time, which I believe was homophobic, chose to act as if I never existed because of my queer identity.

The hate that I experienced growing up on Long Island was my first encounter with how others would treat me as a queer soldier. I have been distrusted as a leader, talked about behind my back, and disregarded.

It is my personal mission to break down barriers and challenge preconceived notions that we "can't" all because of who we love. My response to this has always been: "Watch me. In the past, discriminatory policies such as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" have forced thousands of soldiers in similar situations as myself to choose between the people they love and the country they love at the cost of dismissal and disgrace.

While this law was repealed a decade ago, its legacy sadly lives on through those expelled from the military due to their sexual orientation, who have been denied honorable discharges and the benefits it comes with them. According to CBS News , figures reveal there were 35, individuals discharged due to their sexual orientation from to , and 81 percent of these soldiers were denied honorable discharges.

These soldiers were stripped of support systems that should have helped reintegrate them into society. Although many of these policies have been reversed, I feel that the mindset engrained within them lives on. I have chosen to educate other soldiers, rather than let their biased viewpoints prevail. I make it clear to those I have served with that people like me do not want to rub our identities in their faces.

We just want to be treated with respect for our merit and leadership. Today, in , I am encouraged by how far we have come, but I have become increasingly concerned about where we are headed. And if the political tidings are any indication, their insidious grasp will only continue to tighten on our freedoms and liberties. Elenis, businesses could now be permitted to refuse service to same-sex couples.

We cannot sit idly as our hard-fought progress erodes and our fundamental rights are trampled upon.