Photo By 1st Sgt. Alexandria Hughes | Attendees dance during the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender mixer hosted by...... read more read more
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NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — Joint Task Force Guantanamo Equal Opportunity Leaders hosted a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender mixer for JTF Troopers and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Residents to honor LGBT Pride Month, June 23.
The LGBT mixer included food, games, music, dancing, and opportunities for outreach.
LGBT Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. The Stonewall riots are largely regarded as a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBT individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
The JTF Equal Opportunity Program Manager talked about why hosting an LGBT event is an important part of celebrating LGBT Pride Month.
“This is a great way to recognize Pride Month and to highlight contributions made by our LGBT military members: to our service and our Nation,” she said. “Events like this are a fun way draw attention to the history of the LGBT rights movement.”
One JTF Trooper and EO Leader shared why she volunteered to be a part of the event.
“First, I’m an EOL. LGBT members of the military are allowed to be open and serve. They deserve an equal celebration. It’s about embracing everyone and their contributions,” she said. “Second, this is a big deal—to be recognized, and I want to support my friends.”
In December of 1993, the Department of Defense issued a directive prohibiting the U.S. military from barring applicants from service based on their sexual orientation. This policy was known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
In June 2000, President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 13160, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, and status as a parent in federally conducted education and training programs. The order was issued to achieve equal opportunity in all federally conducted education and training programs.
On Dec. 22, 2010, President Barack Obama signed legislation that led to the repeal of DADT, which occurred on Sept. 20, 2011, allowing LGBT military members to serve openly within our ranks.
NSGB Resident and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handler, shared what the EO event meant to him and how it positively impacts cohesion among Service Members.
“This is important to me because it creates a bond between us,” he said about his brothers and sisters in arms. “The military is a melting pot of so many diverse cultures and backgrounds, and this gives people a chance to be exposed to each other’s differences,” he continued. “Now, when we have to work together in the future, we already have that understanding and appreciation.”
A JTF Trooper in attendance expressed similar sentiments.
“Everything we do in life needs to add value: for us, each other, our community, the world—that’s what service means,” she said. “These things, our differences, are important. They add value. And we need to celebrate them.”
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.16.2018 13:30 |
| Story ID: | 288922 |
| Location: | NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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