Guest Writer for Seattle Pride

I am honored to have been invited to write a guest piece for Seattle Pride focusing on remembering LGBTQ veterans this Memorial Day. The history of LGBTQ veterans has been erased because of discriminatory policies against allowing servicemembers to be out and proud while serving honorably, so we will never know the true number of LGBTQ veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our freedom.

I learned so much from my experience researching and writing this article, that I can not suggest enough to go down the rabbit hole of researching this incredible topic. Great sources and topics I recommend are:

• MAJ Alan Rogers

• CPL Andrew Wilfahrt

• TSgt Leonard Matlovich

• LT Harvey Milk

• GayMilitarySignal.com

• PFC Barry Winchell

• History of Gay Military prohibition origins in WWII

• Minority Veterans of America

• AVER: American Veterans for Equal Rights

• SPART*A

Today is a somber day for may of us in the veteran community, and first and foremost you need to take care of yourself today. However, if you have the capacity to learn more about the sacrifices of the LGBTQ veteran community, I highly suggest taking the time to do so. I would love to discuss with any of you your thoughts on the article if you want to send me a message on the contact page or leave a comment below.

The article can be read here: https://www.seattlepride.org/news/remembering-lgbtq-veterans-on-memorial-day