Photo By Robert Fluegel | Sailors and DoN civilians assigned to Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR), Naval...... read more read more
NAVAL INFORMATION FORCES, SUFFOLK, Va. – Sailors and DoN civilians assigned to Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR), Naval Network Warfare Command, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet South and Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command came together for an observance ceremony in honor and support of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, June 17.
Rear Adm. Matthew J. Kohler, commander, NAVIFOR, delivered the fourth annual LGBT Pride month observance’s opening remarks and introduced the guest speaker.
There was a moment of silence during the ceremony to honor those that were lost in the horrific attack on 12 June in Orlando, FL that left 49 people dead and 53 people injured.
“This is a sobering reminder that an attack on any American -- regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation -- is an attack on all of us and on the fundamental values of equality, dignity, and respect that define us as a country,” said Kohler. “And no act of hate or terror will ever change who we are or the values that make us Americans.”
LGBT Pride month was established by Presidential Proclamation in 2000 to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan, and to establish a commitment of achieving equal justice under the law for LGBT Americans.
LGBT Pride month is held annually and recognizes the importance of diversity within our society as well as the many achievements of LGBT individuals.
Don Stansberry, PhD., Dean of Student and Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Enrollment Services and Policy at Old Dominion University, served as guest speaker for the event held in the Information Dominance Corps Hall of Heroes auditorium in Suffolk.
“The intent of this conversation is to inform and educate,” said Stansberry. “It is not intended to dissuade anyone’s personal opinions or religious beliefs.”
In closing, Dr. Stansberry said, “Respect each other, open up discussions and talk with people that are different than yourself and be compassionate to others.”
As Sailors and DoN civilians sat together they also watched a video of the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus’s speech at the LGBT observance ceremony that was held at the Pentagon earlier this month.
Through these monthly observances, efforts are made to increase awareness, mutual respect and understanding of that month's designated observance, as well as promoting cross-cultural and cross-gender awareness. These events help contribute to the harmony of military members, their families and the civilian workforce.
This year’s theme is celebration, and calls Americans to eliminate prejudice and celebrate our diversity. This June, the Navy recognizes LGBT service members and civilians for their dedicated service to our country. For service members, repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 2011 allowed gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals to serve openly in the United States Armed Forces. Currently, the Department of Defense is reviewing its transgender policy for the armed forces.
"Our Sailors come from all walks of life. We are all unique, yet each of us brings something to what makes our great Navy what it is today," said FORCM (IW/SW/AW) Toby Ruiz, NAVIFOR Force Master Chief. "While our military continues to change and work towards making significant steps for equality in the workforce, we still have room to improve. We improve by learning the rules, setting and communicating expectations, and most importantly, treating everyone with dignity and respect. We improve by how we positively interact with and value each other!"
NAVIFOR' s mission is to support operational commanders ashore and afloat by providing combat-ready Information Warfare forces, which are forward deployable, fully trained, properly manned and capably equipped.
For more information on NAVIFOR, visit the command's web site at www.navidfor.navy.mil, our Navy News Web page at www.navy.mil/local/nidf or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USNavyInformationDominanceForce.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2016 13:41 |
| Story ID: | 202260 |
| Location: | SUFFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 249 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Naval Information Forces and local commands host LGBT Pride Month Ceremony, by Robert Fluegel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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