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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The crew aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) recognized Pride Month June 22, during a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) celebration on the mess decks of the Floating Accommodation Facility.
Along with a formal cake cutting ceremony, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Telly Myles, Lincoln's personnel officer, gave a presentation to the crew, and several Sailors addressed the crowd with their own personal remarks.
According to dod.gov, President Bill Clinton issued Proclamation No. 7316 for the first Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, June 2, 2000. The proclamation stated, "This June, recognizing the joys and sorrows that the gay and lesbian movement has witnessed and the work that remains to be done, we observe Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and celebrate the progress we have made in creating a society more inclusive and accepting of gays and lesbians."
Abraham Lincoln Sailors used this event as an opportunity to recognize the importance of being accepted.
"When I first came out [as gay], my family was very accepting," said Hospital Corpsman Corey Lee. "But there were some people who didn't have that acceptance, so for them, this month is the support system that they didn't grow up with."
The support system for the LGBT community extends beyond the celebration and into the workplace.
"The workplace is starting to become more open, and everyone's becoming more comfortable with each other," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Amber Streety. "This month is very close to me, because I have many friends in the LGBT community."
During his speech, Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan Wampler stated that celebrating the contributions of the LGBT community is not only a step forward within the Navy, but also sets an example for civilians to follow.
"Policies like the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' propel this Navy to be the finest in the world," Wampler said. "I take pride in knowing that I am part of an organization that not only values every single person in it, but is also at the forefront of key issues by setting examples for the rest of the country to follow. It is because of this train of thought so many Americans look to military personnel as role models."
Capt. Ron Ravelo, Lincoln's commanding officer, is well known for his mantra, "Respect the ship, respect your shipmates, and respect yourselves," and reiterated it as he closed out the celebration.
"My mantra is simple, and applies to any and every Sailor on board Lincoln," Ravelo said. "You can respect the ship by taking pride in, and showing respect for, the LGBT community. You show respect to your shipmates by taking pride in the fact that we have shipmates that serve openly and proudly. Finally, you respect yourself by challenging outsiders' assumptions and stereotypes on what it takes to be a member of the United States Navy."
Lincoln is currently undergoing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News.
Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz-class to undergo an RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2015 15:15 |
| Story ID: | 168802 |
| Location: | NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Lincoln celebrates acceptance during LGBT Pride Month ceremony, by SA Brandon Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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