Kunsan celebrates LGBT Pride Month

Photo By Staff Sgt. Divine Cox | Members of the Wolf Pack participate in a cardboard boat race during Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 11, 2015. Also featured throughout the month were a pool party with a cardboard boat race, and a Pride Month cosmic bowling event. On May 30, 2014, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation designating June as LGBT Pride Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Divine Cox)  

KUNSAN AIR BASE, SOUTH KOREA

06.30.2015

Story by Senior Airman Divine Cox 

8th Fighter Wing

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea - June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month and it has been celebrated throughout the month with organized activities to raise cultural awareness through interactive experiences here.

"The monthlong celebration exceeded everything I could have hoped for with the help of the planning committee," said Staff Sgt. Adam Branham, 8th Fighter Wing drug testing program administration manager. "Each event was a success."

The LGBT committee kicked off the festivities with a heritage breakfast at the O'Malley Dining Facility.

"We had a good time at the breakfast," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Sands, NCOIC of wing administration. "Just the opportunity to sit down in a group setting and talk about such a touchy subject openly was refreshing."

Also featured throughout the month were a 5k Glow Run, a pool party with a cardboard boat race, and a Pride Month cosmic bowling event.

"The 5k Glow Run was a big hit for everyone involved," said Senior Airman Denasha Mondy, 8th Force Support Squadron food services journeyman. "More than 50 people showed up for the run which was surprising to me."

In 1993, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was instituted in the U.S. military in accordance with a law passed by Congress that allowed gays and lesbians to serve in the military so long as they did not participate in homosexual activities.

This law was in place for 17 years until it was repealed by Congress in 2010. This repeal allowed gays and lesbians to openly serve in the United States military.

On May 30, 2014, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation designating June as LGBT Pride Month.

"Times have changed now," Branham said. "Being able to serve my country openly and not be judged or treated differently is truly rewarding."

• Date Taken: 06.30.2015
• Date Posted: 06.30.2015 19:37
• Story ID: 168704
• Location: KUNSAN AIR BASE, KR