by James Garcia

Hi, my name is James Garcia and I am from New York City.  In 1996, I enlisted in the Air Force. During that time, don’t ask, don’t tell was in place. That means the mI eventually gave the commander of the base at that time a letter disclosing who I am. v The conversation moved to “Well, we’re going to ask you to leave the base now,...

by Jim Darby

1950s: Sailor Spends A Night In Jail After Gay Bar Is Raided. In 1952, I received what we call the SSS, Selected Service System envelope. Every young man who got one of those, of...

by George Agundez

My name is George Agundez. I am from Calexico, California. Growing up, you know, I used to go to church and I would enjoy going to church. But there was always that time where I w...

by Bob Lanning

My name is Bob Lanning and I’m from Altoona, Washington. Don and I met in San Francisco, October 1966. And we met at the Missouri Mule, and I heard him order a drink at the bar ...

by Nikki Vaughn

On December 22, 2010, President Obama signed the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. The next day I brought a picture of my partner and I to work–I’m in the military–and pla...

by Gordon Christy-Stefanik

Though originally from a small rural town in Czechoslovakia, my adolescence was spent in one of the many suburbs of Los Angeles after we had emigrated to the U.S. I did quite well...

by Zackariah Gonzales

My name is Zackariah Gonzales and on March 21, 2006, I was betrayed by the country I swore to protect and defend. After months of investigation and being subjected to one of the m...

by Cliff Townsend

I hail from South Bend, Indiana, where I grew up in a virtually non-homophobic environment. I did not witness any negativity from parents, teachers or other adults towards any of ...

by Elliot Ryan

Story and Art by Elliot Ryan NOTE: This story was published on Tuesday, but the author submitted art for it later in the week. Since it was such a great story and the illustratio...