Commemorating 50 years of pride

  • Published
  • By Antoinette Smith
  • Air Force Global Strike Public Affairs

Pride Month is recognized as a celebration of diversity and the many strides that have been made for the equality of the LGBT community, following 50 years of advocacy.

On June 28, 1969, members of the LGBT community decided to take a stand against unfair treatment resulting from their sexuality and lifestyle choices. It was this day that New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village.

The raid ignited hostility against bar patrons and neighborhood residents as they were dragged outside of the bar and arrested. As onlookers became angered by what they saw, a riot quickly formed leading to six days of protests and disputes with law enforcement.

The Stonewall riots served as motivation for the gay rights movement across the world, awakening LGBT political activism serving as the catalyst for Pride Month. The parades associated with Pride Month highlight the anniversary of the riots and allows those of the LGBT community and their supporters to celebrate their freedom of choice to live how they choose.

Since then, the gay rights movement has opened more doors and opportunities for openly gay and transgender individuals.

On December 22, 2010, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) Repeal Act became law. Now members of LGBT community can serve openly in the Armed Forces.

“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,” said former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. “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.”

As a result, the Air Force has gained a plethora of Airmen who want to serve and lead our country while living how they choose to without fear of repercussion.

In July 2018, Air Force Academy Cadet Bradley Kim, a football player for the school, felt brave enough to disclose his sexual orientation to the public.

“People always ask me how much everything has changed around me after I came out last year, but I always give the same answer; no one around me changed, but I did,” said Kim. “The day after I came out, I expected people to look at me differently or feel a weird energy in the air… however, nothing changed. No one said anything about it and no one asked me any questions; they just went about the day as if it were any other day, and I couldn’t have asked for it to be any other way.”

Pride Month celebrates this equality, visibility and acceptance of the differences.

“I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the family that is the Air Force and how amazing everyone has been throughout this process. My life has changed so much since coming out, but everyone in the in the Air Force remains the same rock stars I raised my right hand with.”

Diversity and inclusion are important to the Air Force culture. We rely on our diverse backgrounds, perspectives and expertise to enable us to address the complex challenges of the global security environment.

“The success of our military depends largely on our most valuable resource, our people,” said Master Sgt. Danielle Turner, 2nd Bomb Wing Equal Opportunity Office director. “The knowledge we gain by learning more about someone different than ourselves provides a level of growth and understanding that leaders at all levels must embrace.”

”We must continue to ensure we are focused on providing an environment of dignity and respect for all personnel,” added Turner. “The military provides a great environment to teach us how to work in a diverse setting, we just have to take advantage of the opportunities to communicate with the people around us.”

For half a century, the LGBT community has made strides through legal triumphs, political change, and major shifts in the social climate. Starting with the Stonewall Riots, Pride Month, has become a symbolic landmark of diversity, civil rights and equal opportunity.