Page 4 - March ARB Beacon 6-12-15

4 June 12, 2015 www.aerotechnews.com/marcharb

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month

(prepared by Dawn W. Smith, Defense Equal Op- the military. Matlovich wrote a letter to his command- Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith
portunity Management Institute) ing officer, revealing his homosexuality and asking for Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army Reserve
an exception to be made because of his service record.
Diversity is one of our nation’s greatest strengths. In 2012, Army Reserve officer Tammy Smith was
During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender The officer looked at it and said: “Just tear it up and promoted to Brigadier General. She also publicly ac-
(LGBT) Pride month, we celebrate our rich diversity we will forget it.” He refused. knowledged her sexuality, making her the first gen-
and renew our enduring commitment to equity. The
dedication and contributions of our Lesbian, Gay and Matlovich’s fight to stay in the U.S. Air Force after See PRIDE page 5
Bisexual (LGB) service members and Lesbian Gay coming out became a cause that the gay community
Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) civilians have had im- rallied around.
measurable impact on our National Security and the
Department of Defense (DOD). His case was covered in newspaper and magazine
articles throughout the country, numerous television
Our nation was founded on the principle that the interviews, and in a television movie. His photograph
individual has infinite dignity and worth. The DOD, appeared on the cover of the September 8, 1975, is-
which exists to keep the nation secure and at peace, sue of Time magazine, making him a symbol for thou-
must always be guided by this principle. In all that we sands of gay and lesbian service members and the
do, we must show respect for the serviceman, the ser- LGBT community.
vicewoman, the civilian employee, and family mem-
bers, recognizing their individual needs, aspirations, In his last public speech, Matlovich said, “...I want
and capabilities. you to look at the flag, our rainbow flag, and I want you
to look at it with pride in your heart, because we too
This month we acknowledge the painstaking labor have a dream. And what is our dream? Ours is more
of Americans—sung and unsung—whose personal than an American dream. It’s a universal dream. And
sacrifices and determination were instrumental in the our mission is to reach out and teach people to love,
struggle for civil rights. and not to hate.”

Technical Sergeant Leonard P. Matlovich was a On June 22, 1988, less than a month before his 45th
Vietnam War veteran, voluntarily serving three com- birthday, he died beneath a large photo of Martin Lu-
bat tours, and later as a military race relations instruc- ther King, Jr. in his hospital room.
tor. He earned the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
He was also the first gay service member to purposely On December 22, 2010, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
out himself, to challenge the ban on homosexuals in (DADT) Repeal Act became law. Certification oc-
curred in July 2011, and full implementation of the Act
occurred in September 2011. LGB military members
can now serve openly, with honor and integrity.

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