LGBTQ+ Military and Veteran materials

Q0084 Newspaper Collage: Report: Gays Make Good Soldiers, I am A Homosexual, The Sergeant v. The Air Force (1975)

A purple background with hand cut newspaper clippings from the Time and the Advocate. The left clipping is in greyscale. Top of the clipping in bold reads, “The Military.” Title reads, “Report: Gays Make Good Soldiers Why Do You Think They Call it Boot ‘Camp’?” Under is grey text in italics, “By Rick Harding.” Article text reads, “Two reports commissioned by the Pentagon said gays are at least qualified as, and perhaps more qualified than, heterosexuals to serve in the military. One of the reports compared the background records of heterosexual service members with records of 166 gays and lesbians who entered the military and were subsequently discharged because of their sexual orientation. The study concluded that gays performed better than heterosexuals in school conduct, thinking skills, and adjustment to military life. Gays, however, were found to have more problems with drug or alcohol abuse. Another report likened the military’s prejudice against gays with Pentagon sentiment against blacks before the military was forced to integrate in 1948. The document recommended that the Pentagon reverse its current personnel policy, which excludes gays from military service. Both reports were prepared by the Defense Personnel Security Research and Education Center, a Monterey, Calif., unit that is staffed by respected researchers. The center was created in 1987 to conduct studies for the Department of Defense on issues affecting classified information in the military. DOCUMENTS WERE WITHHELD Pentagon officials did not officially release either report. Copies of both documents were leaked in October too Rep. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.), an openly gay member of Congress who has been interested in the military’s policy on gays. Although gay activists said they were hopeful about the impact of the reports, Studds said the military is not willing to change its policy against gay enlistment and Congress is not currently inclined to force a change. Jim Turner, a defense department spokesman, said one of the reports was not released because it did not respond to the original research request, which was to find out whether there is a connection between the security of confidential information and the sexual orientation of its handlers. Turner declined comment on the other report, saying it was in draft form and has not been fully reviewed. He said a new report on the effect of sexual orientation on national security will be completed later this year.” Black bold text at bottom reads, “14 ADVOCATE.” The photograph depicts a white older man, Rep. Gerry Studds. It is a headshot with his eyes and head facing to the left of the camera. He has short balding hair and his mouth is open showing his teeth. He is wearing a white collared shirt with a black and white striped tie. The image on the right is a colored Time Magazine cover. A red border surrounds the image of a man. The black text on the top reads, “75 cents September 8, 1975.” The word “Time” is in the same bright red. Black text overlaying the photo reads, “‘I Am a Homosexual’ The Gay Drive for Acceptance.” The image is a man looking straight at the camera with an open mouth and glazed eyes. He is wearing a US air force uniform and blue cap. His name tag reads, “Matlovich.” He has colorful pins and one blue patch with a white star and white stripes placed on his arm. The bottom article in black and white reads, “The Sergeant v. The Air Force. When T/Sgt. Leonard Matlovich handed his coming-out letter to his superior officer, a black captain at Lang-Let Air Force Base, Va., the officer said: ‘What the hell does this mean?’ Replied Matlovich: ‘It means Brown v. the Board of Education’. Matlovich, now 32, was deliberately provoking a discharge from the Air Force in order to challenge the military’s long-standing ban on homosexuals (TIME, June 9). Indeed, his lawyers hope the case will reach the Supreme Court and produce a landmark decision on homosexual rights comparable to the court’s historic school integration decision of 1954. It is a perfect test case. The tall, red-haired sergeant has an impeccable twelve-year military record, no known psychiatric problems, and a Bronze Star and Purple Heart won on one of his three tours in Viet Nam. A five-man Air Force review board begins hearings Sept 16 at Langley. Matlovich is the son of an Air Force sergeant, and was raised at the airbases in the U.S. and England. Though he says he knew he was homosexual at the age of twelve, he did not act upon that knowledge till he was 30, when he finally got up the nerve to go to a gay bar in Pensacola, Fla. Though Matlovich feared he would be raped by frenzied homosexuals, the bar turned out to be a civilized place filled with airmen, blue-collar workers and middle-class professional men. He lost his virginity that night to a government civil servant. Says Matlovich: ‘I had never held another person in my arms, never kissed another person since I was a child except for family.’ Though only dimly aware of the gay liberation movement, he ran across the name of Gay Activist Frank Kameny in a military magazine’s article on homosexuals. He flew to Washington, met with Kameny and Addlestone, and enthusiastically offered to challenge the military ban on homosexuals. The two men urged him to slow down and think about it. Matlovich did- for nine months- before writing his letter last March. Since then, Matlovich has become one of the best-known gays in the country. (His parents prefer to think he is more interested in homosexuality as a cause than as a way of life.) Addressing a Gay Pride Week rally in New York in June, he broke down and cried. Says he: ‘I found myself, little nobody me, standing up in front of tens of thousands of gay people. And just two years ago I thought I was the only gay in the world. It was a mixture of joy and sadness. It was just a great pride to be an American, to know I'm pressed but able to stand up there and say so. They were very beautiful people to there.’” The far left image for this article depicts two men dancing. The man in the foreground has short hair and a mustache. He is smiling and looking away. His arms and legs are positioned mid dance. He is wearing a long sleeve flannel button up, tan bell bottom pants, a black belt, and black shoes. The man in the background has his back to the camera and facing to the left. He is wearing a short sleeve shirt, tan pants with a studded belt, and black shoes. The second image depicts Matlovich wrapped in bandages and laying in a hospital bed. He is bruised, bleeding, and wounded.

Q0085 Newspaper Collage: Pledge Your Allegiance…Yes, I’m gay. So What? House member Reveals, We Won’t Go Back (1987-1989)

A large poster with a neon orange background and greyscale photos that look like they were hand cut and glued to the poster. The top left photo is a cutout of a newspaper that reads, “Sound Off Commentary: Sept. 9-10: San Diego Stands With Orange County; Our brothers and sisters to the north of us in Orange County are currently under attack by powerful homophobic forces, including their own version of Dorman Owens: the Rev. Lou Sheldon, head of the Traditional Values Coalition that has been trying to stop Orange County’s first lesbian/gay pride celebration. Although Sheldon and his cohorts have not succeeded thus far, they are continuing their efforts to destroy our neighbors’ pride. In response to the right wing attack, a “Call to Action” has been issued throughout California urging lesbians and gay men to go to Orange County to offer support to our beleaguered “family.” We in San Diego County are urging members of our gay and lesbian community to heed the call and join with our Orange County friends in celebration and support by attending the Orange County gay pride events on Sept. 9-10. The parade and festival will be held in Centennial Park, at the corner of Fairview and Edinger in Santa Ana. A San Diego contingent is being organized, and everyone is welcome. Call Nicole at 692-1967 for more information. We can all support our sisters and brothers in Orange County in several ways: -By speaking in supportive ways about the effort; by getting a moment on our community’s agenda to urge all of us to support and attend. -By being at Centennial Park on Sept. 9-10 to buy a ticket, visit the booths, to be cheerful if not downright gay, and to tell our friends we stand with them. -By creating carpools and chartering buses to the events, thereby creating two days of fun. Go both days if you can arrange the time and travel. -By attending the parade on Sunday, Sept. 10, beginning at noon. Be there by 11am to be in place. -By taking a booth at the festival. The cost for nonprofit organizations is low. Contact Orange County Cultural Pride, PO Box 8167, Orange 92664, for more information. - By marching in the parade with the San Diego contingent, bringing your banners and signs along with you. Please join us in sending a strong and visible message: that on Sept. 9-10 San Diego stands with Orange County!; The Rev, David Farrell- Pastor, MCC/San Diego; Chris Kehoe-Co-Chair, 15/20 Council; Herb King-LIFE AIDS Lobby Executive Committee; Jeri Dillon-President, San Diego Democratic Club; Stan Berry-United Republican for Equality and Privacy National Executive Board; Jim CUA-Vice-President, Harvey Milk Democratic Club; Michael Lloyd-Vice President, San Diego Democratic Club.”The top middle image is a photo of a person’s face looking at the camera. They are identified as “Rep. Barney Frank” and the photograph belongs to The United Press International. Underneath their photo is a quote that reads, “‘Yes, I'm gay. So what?’ House member reveals.” Under the quote is a block of text that reads, “BOSTON- Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., acknowledged he is a homosexual, but said in an interview published yesterday in The Boston globe that he does not believe his sexual preference is relevant to his job. ‘If you ask the direct question: ‘Are you gay?’ The answer is, ‘Yes. So what?’ Frank said in the interview conducted Friday in Washington. ‘I've said all along that if I was asked by a reporter and I didn’t respond, it would look like I had something to hide, and I don't think I have anything to hide,’ he said. Frank is the second member of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation to disclose his homosexuality. Democratic Rep. Gerry Studds acknowledged his homosexuality after revelations in 1983 of a sexual relationship with a male teenage House page, a liaison that earned him a formal House censure. In the interview, Frank said he was prompted to disclose his sexual preference when he reviewed the recent press scrutiny of former presidential candidate Gary Hart and of the alleged homosexual activities of Rep. Stewart McKinney, R-Conn. McKinney died last month of complications from AIDS. Rep. Brian Donnelly, D-Mass., said of Frank, ‘People who work with him already know about his sexual preference. But this enhances his image as a forthright, honest representative who’s willing to say he has nothing to hide.’ ‘I don't think my sex life is relevant to my job,’ said Frank, a four term congressman. ‘But on the other hand, I don't want to leave the impression that I'm embarrassed about my life.’ San Diego Union May 31, 1987.” The top right image is a light photograph of two people holding hands while sitting on a park bench. The person on the rights hair is long and colored in yellow. The American flag is also colored in and is painted on the bench they are sitting on. The bottom left image is a grayscale copy of the San Diego Gay Times from the Friday, October 21, 1988 number 43 issue. Black text reads, “Making a Statement; Andrea Villa, Ellie Rapp and Laura Sutherland took their National Coming Out Day act to Horton Plaza. They managed to shop through several stores before security personnel at the shopping center requested that they leave, which they did-ever so slowly.” The image shows the three aforementioned people holding up signs that read from left to right, “Female by Birth, Lesbian by Grace. - Take Control Nat’l Coming Out Day - My Mother is proud of me. She knows I'm a lesbian!” The bottom center is a cutout of another newspaper article. The article reads, “NOW Protests Homophobia by Bethany Berry Staff Writer; NOW, along with a coalition of gay and lesbian organizations, as well as other civil rights groups held an action in Washington, D.C. on January 26 to confront the prejudice espoused by the Coalition for Traditional Values (CTV) at a CTV symposium. The symposium, entitled the ‘National Summit on Heterosexual Ethic’ was held at the Sheraton Washington Hotel and featured the following speakers: CTV’s director, Rev. Louis Sheldon, William Allen, the former chair of the Civil Rights Commission, and Rep. William Dannemeyer (R-California). Sheldon’s positions on creationism in the classroom, abortion and homosexuality have garnered CTV considerable controversy and media attention. Most recently, a speech by William Allen of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, entitled, ‘Blacks, Homosexuals, Animals: What is a Minority?’ At a CTV symposium in Orange County, California drew broad congressional and public criticism. The topics discussed at the CTV symposium included ‘reparative therapy’ to cure lesbians and gay men, and strategies to defeat gay and lesbian civil rights initiatives at all levels. ‘The ‘National Summit on Homosexuality’ is yet another ugly example of the profound bigotry which infects the radical right movement in this country. Like their counterparts in the anti-abortion movement, homophobic fanatics seek to impose their religious beliefs on the nation as a whole.’ Said NOW president Molly Yard. ‘We pledge to continue the struggle for justice for all people, to stand against homophobia wherever it rears its head, and to fight fiercely to end discrimination against any and all groups.’ A rally against CTV was held at Dupont Circle, where a crowd of 600 listened as several speakers stressed the urgency tonight back against homophobia. Loretta Kane, president of Capital City NOW said, ‘As I look out on this crowd, I do not see a thousand points of light; rather, I see a thousand points of dissent woven into a blanket of activism.’ A ‘March Against Homophobia’ followed after the rally and over 800 protestors marched to the Sheraton-Washington Hotel where CTV members met inside. A candle-lighting ceremony took place to remember the lesbians and gay men who have been the targets and victims of hate crimes.” The article is cited by the National NOW Times. The bottom left image is a cutout of a comic strip from The Guardian on October 14, 1987 that reads, “We won't go back!” The comic depicts three people each with inscriptions on their shirts. Text reads from left to right, “Religious Condemnation, AIDS bigotry, Gender Stereotype and Pro-Family.” They are all holding a white straight jacket with an angry face. Text reads, “Lesbians! Gays! Everyone! Do you find yourselves Coming out of the closet and climbing into a Straight-Jacket???? You don't have to!! Just say no!” The bottom of the comic depicts a person punching the straight jacket and saying “Get Lost! Be Yourself.” At the far bottom left corner is a tiny cut out of Keith Harding’s Coming Out artwork.

Q0171 Honor Every Veteran Military Ball Cocktail Reception (2007)

A multicolored poster with a red, white, and blue striped background (representing the American flag), and the photos of four military personnel in uniform, three white men smiling and one Black woman with a neutral face. The text on the poster includes, "Honor Every Veteran - Military Ball Cocktail Reception - Honorary Chairs Congress Members Bob Filner & Susan Davis, Chairman House of Representatives Veterans' Affairs Committee, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel - San Diego LGBT Center @ 6pm - Tickets $20 at door, Dress uniform or business casual, silent auction, cash bar/hors d'oeuvres, (18 & over) - featuring Reichen Lehmkuhl - The Center Public Policy Department and American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) - www.honoreveryveteran.com."

Q0172 Honor Every Veteran (2007)

A multicolored poster advertising Veteran’s Day Weekend. The background has red, white, and blue stripes to symbolize the American flag. Large white text outlined in black in the top right corner reads, “Honor Every Veteran.” Smaller font says, “Veteran’s Day Weekend www.honoreveryveteran.com. All proceeds to benefit.” Text is followed by two logos: The first logo is a black and white star with red text that reads, “AVER” and black text that reads, “American Veterans for Equal Rights.” The second logo is of The Center’s logo outlined in purple with two purple pillars. Text on the logo reads, “Public Policy Department Basic Rights, Human Rights.” Under the logos are a colored photograph of a man with light tan skin in a dark blue Air Force uniform with a white shirt and dark tie. He is wearing a cap with a silver emblem in the middle. He has short brown hair barely visible under his cap; he is smiling and looking at the camera. He has pins on both sides of his lapel. His name tag reads, ‘Smith’ and he has awards and more silver pins on the opposite side of his uniform. Text on the right side of the poster reads from the top to bottom. The words, “Fri Nov 09/07” are outlined in a white rectangle. White text underneath reads, “Don't Ask Don't Tell Rally Federal Building @ 1700 (5PM) Help End Discrimination in the Military. Kick Off Reception At the Caliph Starting @ 2000 (8PM) Chow & Drinks.” The red text, “Sat Nov 10/07” is outlined in a red rectangle. Red text underneath reads, “Veterans Day Parade Step Off @ 1100 (11AM) S.D. County Building Show Your Veteran Pride. Military Ball Cocktail Reception.” White text reads, “Honorary Chairs Congress Members Bob Filner & Susan Davis Featuring Reichen Lehmkuhl.” Red text continues, “LGBT Center @ 1800 (6PM) Tickets - $20 at door Dress Uniform or Business Casual. After Party Bourbon Street Starting at 2200 (10PM).” The words, “Sun Nov 11/07” is outlined in a white rectangle. White text underneath reads, “Stand Down Draft Party The Hole @ 1400 (2PM) Draft Specials All Day Long. Take No Prisoners Final Assault at Pecs Starting at 1900 (7PM).” Under the text is an image of twelve colored logos on top of a white rectangle. Logos from left to right are listed as: GLT Gay Lesbian Times, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, INMAGAZINE, San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, San Diego Pride, Imperial Court de San Diego, Pyramid Breweries, The Hole, Mo’s, The Caliph, The Bottomline, Bourbon Street, and Baja Betty’s. White text outlined in black at the bottom of the page reads, “-All Events Open to the Public- For More Info Call (619) 459-1019.”