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The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was repealed in 2011, and since then, the military has changed how it handles LGBT. The Air Force started recognizing LGBT Pride Month in 2014. The goal is to get people involved and increase understanding of the importance of diversity.
“It’s a way to meet people like me on the base,” said Staff Sgt. Cassandra Carvalheira, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communication navigation craftsman and member of the committee. “I wanted to help out with this because if you don’t have enough people involved in it, nothing will happen.”
The month started off with a celebration walk and an educational presentation, June 1. The second event will be a barbecue, movie mixer night and is scheduled for June 10 at 6 p.m. at the McConnell pool pavilion.
“It’s really all about awareness,” said Tech. Sgt. Lowell Wann, 22nd Air Refueling Wing NCO in charge of chapel operations and head of the committee. “As a society, this is something we’re still getting used to. We want to show that LGBT isn’t as big of a deal as people might want it to be. We’re just trying to celebrate LGBT and break the stereotypes we’ve had for so long. They’re just people.”
Recognizing LGBT Pride Month is important to McConnell because it can help Airmen, especially those who haven’t been on base very long, feel comfortable and welcome knowing they won’t be judged, said Carvalheira.
“What makes the military great, in my opinion, is we are a true melting pot of society,” said Wann. “People come from everywhere, and they only know what they were taught. Educating people and having conversations about this is what needs to happen.”
| Date Taken: | 06.03.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2016 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 201936 |
| Location: | KS, US |
| Web Views: | 16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, McConnell recognizes LGBT Pride Month, by A1C Erin McClellan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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