Military men and women march in San Diego Pride

[Aquilla]

Military men and women march in San Diego Pride


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22nd July 2012
James Withers

San Diego Pride celebrates military men and women


Yesterday was a historic day for the US military. For the first time active duty men and women, in uniform, participated in the San Diego Pride parade.

As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune, a number of sailors, soldiers, and Marines marched with an Army truck. The vehicle was decorated with a 'Freedom to Serve' banner and a rainbow flag. The uniformed troops were joined by military peers in civilian clothes.
'Today is so important,' Navy Lt. Brian McKinney said to the newspaper. Marching with Lt. McKinney was his civilian partner, Hunter Hammonds. 'It's about putting on my uniform and taking pride in my service, my fellow service-members, my family and myself. It's something I'm incredibly thankful for,' McKinney continued.

On Thursday, 19 June, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Rene Bardorf announced the change in policy for this year's parade.
‘Based on our current knowledge of the event and current policies, we hereby are granting approval for service members in uniform to participate in this year’s parade.’
‘San Diego Pride is honored to have the privilege of celebrating our country and our service members with dignity and respect,' San Diego Pride Executive Director Dwayne Crenshaw said about the Defense Department's decision.

From all accounts, the troops were welcomed with open arms.
'Spectators waved signs reading, "Thank you for your service." A woman held a placard that said: "My gay son is a Naval officer",' the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The significance of yesterday's parade cannot be overstated. For close to 18 years, US troops served under a policy known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The policy barred discrimination of gay troops, but also kept military personnel from being out. According to Service members Legal Defense Network, a non-profit that works with LGBT sailors, soldiers and airmen, approximately 14,500 troops have been discharged under DADT.

UK: The British military actively recruits gay men and lesbians, all three services have deployed recruiting teams to gay pride events, and punishes any instance of intolerance or bullying. The Royal Navy advertises for recruits in gay magazines and has allowed gay sailors to hold civil partnership ceremonies on board ships and, since 2006, to march in full naval uniform at gay pride marches. British Army and Royal Air Force personnel could march but had to wear civilian clothes until 2008, now all military personnel are permitted to attend Gay Pride marches in uniform.