Photo By Senior Airman Megan Myhre | Gregory Estle-Scarle, a 56th Air Refueling Squadron secretary and former U.S. Army...... read more read more
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A “Do Ask, Do Tell” Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Luncheon was held June 30, 2016 at Club Altus concluding Altus Air Force Base’s third annual Department of Defense LGBT Pride Month Observance.
This Luncheon was the culmination of multiple other informative and celebratory events hosted by the LGBT Pride Committee throughout the month which included three Lunch and Learns and a five kilometer Rainbow Color Run.
The event focused on a guest speaker who shared his experience and the challenges he faced as a member of the armed forces before the 2010 repeal of the 1993 Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.
A panel of representatives from various agencies on base including 97th Air Mobility Wing Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, the 97th Medical Support Squadron and the 97th Force Support Squadron Military Personnel Flight were also present to answer any questions about current regulations and procedures regarding LGBT issues.
Gregory Estle-Scarle, 56th Air Refueling Squadron secretary and former U.S. Army soldier, recounted his past struggles and detailed the many ways the military has evolved and grown since his enlistment in 2003 and subsequent discharge from the service in 2004.
In 1993, a DOD policy was enacted that only allowed LGBT member to serve in the United States Military if they kept their sexual orientation secret.
“This Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy ostensibly prevented others from discriminating and harassing closeted LGBT service members, but in my experience, it became a tool to discharge me from service,” said Estle-Scarle.
According to Estle-Scarle, during his short time in the Army he was subjected to being the focus of false rumors, which aimed to alienate and discredit his authority and character. This treatment led to him being switched to a new platoon without reason, and hastily scheduled for a deployment while being harassed and threatened because of his sexual orientation.
“It became a witch hunt, with the intent of getting rid of me because I didn’t fit,” said Estle-Scarle.
After trying to deal with the abuse, Estle-Scarle was eventually pressured to openly admit his sexual orientation, which led to him being rushed out that very night and reassigned to Mannheim, Germany before his discharge.
Estle-Scarle was one of thousands discharged under DADT but his story didn’t stop there. Now working at for Altus Air Force Base, he expressed joy over the evolution the U.S. Military has undergone since his time in the Army, addressing updates and changes to policy over the years.
Some of the noteworthy steps taken to enforce equality throughout the military are:
• On June 2, 2000, President Clinton issued Proclamation No. 7,316 for the first Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.
• On June 1, 2009, President Barack Obama issued Proclamation No. 8,387 for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.
• On December 22, 2010, the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” (DADT) Repeal Act became law. Certification occurred in July 2011, and full implementation of the Act occurred in September 2011.
• On April 28, 2014, the Pentagon released an update to the Department of Defense Human Goals Charter that, for the first time included language related to sexual orientation in the section dealing with the military.
• In February 2015, the Department of Labor issued a final rule to change the definition to include all legally married same-sex couples, regardless of where they live or work. Previously the definition of “spouse” was defined by the state law where the employee resided.
• On March 27, 2015, the Family and Medical Leave Act extended coverage to all legally married same-sex couples to take FMLA leave to provide care for their spouse and their child.
• In June 2015, the DoD updated its Military Equal Opportunity program to protect service members against discrimination because of sexual orientation.
Estle-Scarle said he never believed he would see homosexual men and women serving openly in the military, much less getting married and having families. Estle-Scarle himself has a husband who also works on base as well as three children.
Estle-Scarle ended his speech with a quote from Defense Secretary Ash Carter, saying, “The Department of Defense has made a lasting commitment to living the values we defend – to treating everyone equally – because we need to be a meritocracy. We have to focus relentlessly on our mission, which means the thing that matters most about a person is what they can contribute to national defense.”
Adding to the growing list of legal amendments promoting equality, the U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced transgender policy changes June 30, 2016 within hours of Estle-Scarle’s remarks on the positive progression of the U.S. Military in regard to LGBT service members.
”Effective immediately, transgender Americans may serve openly, and they can no longer be discharged or otherwise separated from the military just for being transgender,” said Carter, “Additionally, I have directed that the gender identity of an otherwise qualified individual will not bar them from military service, or from any accession program. In taking these steps, we’re eliminating policies that can result in transgender service members being treated differently from their peers based solely upon their gender identity rather than their ability to serve.”
The policies will be phased in over the course of the next 12 months and must be completely implemented no later than July 1, 2017.
“Six years after the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and following years of gay and lesbian service members having to hide who they are, we now take pride in how we are free to serve our country openly,” said Estle-Scarle. “We believe in getting to a place where no one serves in silence and where we treat all our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
| Date Taken: | 07.07.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.07.2016 17:48 |
| Story ID: | 203356 |
| Location: | ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, OK, US |
| Web Views: | 674 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Proud to Serve, Proud to be LGBT, by SrA Megan Myhre, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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