Pride Month 2021
This June, the United States marks Pride Month, a monthlong celebration to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary and queer) community and their achievements. Pride month coincides with the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising on June 28th, 1969. After the NYC police raided this popular gay bar in the Greenwich Village of Manhattan, the Stonewall Inn, the 6-days after the raid saw numerous clashes between the police and the LGBTQ+ community in New York. This marked a true tipping point for LGBTQ+ activism, when people of color, white cisgender people, and gender non-confroming groups came together to speak up and speak out.
The US Military has had a complex history with the LGBTQ+ community. Since the 1940s, same-sex relationships were classified as a mental illness, meaning gay men and lesbians were disqualified for service. In 1982 a military policy officially banned gay men and lesbians from their ranks; previously, same-sex relations were criminal and a cause for discharge.
1993 saw the enactment of the "don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which allowed only closeted LGBTQ people to serve in the military. It wasn't until 18 years later that Congress repealed this, finally allowing LGB people to serve openly in the military.
In 2013, spousal and family benefits were extended to same-sex married partners and in 2021, after a temporary ban, transgender individuals were again allowed to enlist and serve.
During this Pride Month, the Museum & Library will hold a FREE panel discussion, "Exploring the Intersection of the U.S. Military and the LGBTQ Community" on June 23rd, at 12pm. Moderated by Mara Keisling, the founder and executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, the panel features Captain El Cook, Nic Talbott, and Lindsay Church. We hope you will register today.
We would like to highlight two oral histories to mark this month.
James Darby, U.S. Navy at the end of the Korean War:
While training in a job field requiring top-level security clearance, Darby experienced a close call, and feared getting kicked out of the Navy. He was called into a meeting in Seattle—only miles from his training station at Bainbridge Island—to discuss his security clearance, or so he thought. When one of the questions led to the topic of homosexuality, Darby was sure he had been “discovered,” meaning his military career would be short-lived. Fortunately, the inquiry only resulted in a close call, and Darby was able to serve four years in the military—though his identity remained a secret during that time.
Darby is an outspoken activist for veterans, gays and lesbians, as well as human rights. He is proud to have recently been a part of the struggle for marriage equality in Illinois and believes that all who serve should be afforded equal rights regardless of their sexual orientations.
Leonard Lucio, US Navy, Operation Desert Storm:
Mr. Lucio also uses his oral history interview as an opportunity to discuss life in the Navy before and after the policy Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. As a sailor who lived during this period in the military, Mr. Lucio is proud to have served as a gay sailor and wants to share his story with the veteran community. Today, Mr. Lucio is proud to list both his partner and their adopted baby boy as his dependents – a benefit only previous enjoyed by heterosexual couples. Mr. Lucio continued to serve all of these years because he wanted to know what it was like to be in uniform and be “out” – not have to hide his identity.
https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/holt-oral-history-program/leonardo-lucio-e-6
