Have A Gay Veterans Day

[bluedawg12]

Gays have served, sacrificed, bled and died for our freedoms.

Let's honor our US veteran gay brothers and sisters today.

Any stories out there? Any one serve? I worked in a US Naval facility for four years, as a civillian and made some friends for life. One lesbian couple remains close, both former USN Captains, this retired couple live and care for each other in a loving relationship, even while one of them is fighting agent orange related lymphoma, service connected!

Never tell me gays don't serve. One of the last straws last week, on another forum, where I had my Cult from Salt run in, was a young retired USN officer, a young mom, all opinions and little understanding, who claimed "homosexuality was immoral" and never really knew any gays. Oh really, dear? Well, they were shoulder to shoulder with her, if she had only opened her eyes.

Check this out:

>>Upwards of 5 million gays and lesbian have served in the US Military Armed Forces throughout the history of the United States. It is estimated that between 1 and 2 million current veterans in the US are gay or lesbian. As we all know, the history of acceptance in the military, and afterwards as veterans, has been unacceptable and it is well past due for major changes in inclusion of all Americans in the armed forces and in veterans organizations, just as many of our major allies have done. We all put our lives on the line, and many died, defending America and others around the world the same as "straight" men and women have. We are all the same, but for unjustifiable reasons, we are still excluded and are never given the same respect or courtesies as our fellow veterans.<<
http://gayveterans.org/

[BR_Parkway]

1. I served for 3+ years till they booted me - US Army, soldier of the year

1983 for my entire command

[bluedawg12]

8. Thank you for serving!

It was their loss for sure.

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. Sir Yes Sir!

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

(I actually had that car magnet made during the Yellow Ribbon Craze. Later I gave it to my new out & proud Navy-veteran boss. He put it inside his car window because as he said, "I live in West Hollywood and it would disappear in 10 seconds.")

[bluedawg12]

7. Outstanding! n/t

[jonnyblitz]

3. Navy Vet here

[Ellen Forradalom]

5. All right!

[jonnyblitz]

13. don't laugh but i saw them in concert when i was a kid

at boston garden. gloria gaynor warmed up for them and they had a big disco ball hanging from the ceiling ! and just so you know, a bunch of straight girls dragged me to that show. :P

[bluedawg12]

15. jonnyblitz - Gloria Gaynor rocks!

"...and just so you know, a bunch of straight girls dragged me to that show." LOL!

We need a virtual disco ball here at GLBT! :rofl:

[foxfeet]

10. Hey, sailor! Looking for a good time?

You've come to the right place. Can I batten down your hatches?
A salute to you and to all who have served and are serving!
:patriot:

[jonnyblitz]

12. lol. just remember that picture is from the 80's. I am a geezer now.

:hi:

[foxfeet]

14. Bet I'm geezier than you are.

Getting old is a bitch. :P

[bluedawg12]

16. Great pic jonnyblitz

hey I may be the geezer here, go easy. The 80's weren't that long ago.

[jonnyblitz]

24. thanks!! the 80's seem long ago to me!

:D

[IndianaGreen]

17. Army vet here!

There are many gays serving in the military today, and doing a fine job. As Truman did in integrating the military, we need to eliminate bigotry from the ranks.

[bluedawg12]

19. IndianaGreen - Thank you for your service.

Do you know, by chance, how many countries allow gays in military?

[IndianaGreen]

20. Off the top of my head, no! Israel does.

I could google it, but why do that if you can tell me. :-)

[bluedawg12]

21. I was thinking of France

I didn't know about Israel. So, without a goog, that makes two.:hi:

[IndianaGreen]

22. I googled it: 24 countries allow gays to serve openly in military

Currently, 24 countries around the world allow gays to serve openly in the military. The United States and Turkey are the only two NATO countries that ban gays.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/assignment_7&id=5304491

[bluedawg12]

23. No kidding.

That's fantastic.

ETA: check your PM Indy.

[HeraldSquare212]

4. We're supposed to have a gay veteran today? Sign me up.

[bluedawg12]

6. LOL. Gives new meaning

have a Great Gay Veteran today! :rofl:

Oh, the audacity of gay. We rock!

[Maat]

9. We salute you!

:patriot:

To all gay and lesbian veterans; we honor you today!

:toast:

[RetiredTrotskyite]

11. I'll Tip My Hat To That

A heartfelt thank you to all LGBT veterans. Have a happy gay veterans day!!!!:bounce: :toast: :patriot:

[Zuiderelle]

18. We flew our flag today for all the gay veterans who have served our country.

:patriot: