Share Your Story
If you are a GLBT individual who has served in the military, either in the United States or another country, please share your experiences for possible inclusion in an upcoming book about the effects of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law.

My Military History
I loved the military. Starting out as a recruit and over the course of 31 years working my way to being a Colonel was the most important professional career I could ever have undertaken. I served 7 years on active duty, in the US, Germany, and Vietnam. I then served 24 years in the Army Reserves and National Guard with opportunities to "Be All That I Could Be."

Unfairness of the Military
Preceding the problems for women in the military were racism and segregation that persisted for several hundred years. It wasn't until 1948, when integration was mandated by President Truman's Executive Order, that the military began to change. Just changing the policy did not change internalized prejudice but it was the start.

It was not always easy as a woman in the military. Early in my career, when women officers were uncommon, men would cross the street rather than render a hand salute to a woman. During during those days, women could not be married and serve in the military. As society changed, as women worked both within the family structure and outside the home, military regulations adapted to those changes. The reality was also that some of the roles in the military commonly filled by women necessitated the change in policy.

Back then married women could not have dependents, children, and be in the military. I was forced to resign in 1968, when my husband and I were expecting our first child. When that policy was changed in 1972 I returned to the military in the reserves. Combining civilian and personal life with the military reserve, on call in an emergency status, was for me the best of both worlds.

Historically, the military treatment of gays and lesbians has been abhorrent. During WWII gay and lesbian service members were branded as unfit for duty, with a dishonorable conduct, and their civilian earning capacity ruined by the ignorance and their unmerited dishonorable discharges. Books by Alan Berube and Randy Shilts are testimonials as to the inhumane treatment these people received. In the 1980's numerous lawsuits were filed on behalf of superb service members who were losing their careers, as they were determined to be gay and therefore somehow unfit for service. In 1993 the Congressional passage of Don't Ask Don't Tell led to further witch hunts, murder and abuse of perceived and self-identified gays and lesbians. Over 1000 service members are discharged annually for homosexuality, many because they wanted to be truthful and told their commanders.

Ethical Dilemmas
Service to Country
During these days of renewed patriotism, former service members and dedicated Americans want to join the military, defend democracy, and fight terrorism throughout the world. The military seduces one to believe that with the right mental and physical effort everyone has the potential to serve in the military. I can vouch for the wonderment of that seduction. I joined as an immigrant wanting to give something back to my adopted country; to be where the action was as an Army Nurse. I was seduced, and I believed. I believed the military would take care of its own, and that as defenders of democracy we would also experience that democracy. I have seen time and again how that is not the way the military operates. It happened with the sexual harassment scandals of women in the military, it happened with the subservient demeaning treatment of American female servicemembers in Saudi Arabia, it happens continuously in the treatment of gay and lesbian servicemembers .

Truth or Consequences
From birth most of us are taught not to lie. From induction into the service you are taught that honesty and truth shall prevail. Putting on the uniform, you represent America at home and throughout the world, you are a symbol of democracy for all to see. But - if you state your own truth, if you so much as utter the words, "I am gay" or "I am a lesbian," you are in defiance of existing policy and subject to discharge from the military. This happens to an average of four service members daily.

To Serve or Not to Serve
Your Options Once In
Over the past decade I have talked and written to hundreds of service members struggling with decisions about remaining in the military or leaving. As an officer, life is much more protected than for the enlisted person. There is personal privacy, opportunities to live off base, travel and socialize further from the base than for the enlisted person. Enlisted personnel live in close proximity to one another 24 hours a day during those first few years. There is no privacy, not only during the workday, but in the evening, or on weekends - every moment you are under scrutiny. Your buddies want you with them, doing what they do, and the expectation is that you disclose your activities upon return from leave. Harassment for being different in any way may bring ridicule, scrutiny, investigation into the question of whether you're gay or lesbian. "Big brother" is always watching enlisted men and women. Gay and lesbian enlisted men and women have to live their lives as a lie, or not have a personal life.

Your Option to Join
The military offers many wonderful things, especially to the young and those wanting to: have an education paid for, opportunities for travel, a higher education upon completion of service, and retirement benefits.

With today's emphasis on fighting terrorism, patriotism calls. Gay men and lesbian women who wish to serve their country must ask themselves hard questions: Can you live a lie? Can you tolerate the confinement of presumed heterosexuality? Can you accept sexual innuendos and harassment? Can you accept having to deny your sexual orientation, including denial while being investigated or otherwise intimidated?

These problems are realities to newly inducted service members who struggle, after the fact, with their decision to join. They are also questions being asked by service members who wonder if they should remain in the military and live the lie and double life.

My Thoughts as a Veteran
Gay and lesbian service members must decide for themselves if they can live and serve in silence. There is no protection for anyone who comes out in the military. They may escape because of their SEAL status or some extraordinary circumstance but the law, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, is grounds for your separation and loss of career benefits if prosecuted. Don't believe you can change the system because you are a good soldier, sailor or service member. You can't, others have tried, it is the law. If you are contemplating joining the military, think very carefully before you do. You will be living a lie, forced to lie, forced to lead a sham life, forced to give up who you are. If despite all that you have to join, contact the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network at www.sldn.org. This is the only civilian organization with knowledge about your legal rights as a service member and how to protect yourself from the military witch-hunt.

Think of Yourself
If you would join the Boy Scouts of America, or a Fundamentalist church, then perhaps you are masochistic enough to join the military. But you are worth more than that; you skills, talents, gifts should be nurtured, acknowledged and appreciated. Find a place where you are appreciated for all of you - serve that organization for the greater good.

Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer USA (ret)
21 July 2002

Military Issues Resources

Related Links
Killing of a soldier
Parents tell the story of their son murdered in the military. The military cover up is a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

Military Education Initiative
New Gays in the military project reaches out to hundreds of Veterans Service Organizations and Military Associations to enhance their understanding of the gays in the military issue. There is a special Resource Guide with response to 64 most frequently asked questions. Director: Jeff Cleghorn, 1570 Monroe Drive, Suite F, Box #615, Atlanta, GA 30324-5022; tel 404 815 1363

American Veterans for Equal Rights
A national, chapter-based volunteer organization comprised largely of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans representing each of the military services

Human rights Campaign's Documenting Courage Project
HRC joins SLDN and AVER to recognize the ctributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans through this project through which GLBT Veterans share their personal stories

Library of Congress's Veterans History Project
History Project collects and preserves audio-and video-taped oral histories, along with documentary materials such as letters, diaries, maps, photographs, and home movies, of America's war veterans and those who served in support of them. This project includes stories of gay and lesbian Veterrans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the first Gulf War.

Vietnam book reflects lives of women
The Healing Power of Truth

Veterans United for Truth

Puget sound chapter of AVER
Greater Seattle, WA support group for gay and lesbian servicemembers and veterans. Join us and help overturn the ban.

Transgender American Veterans Association

Service Academy Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association
SAGALAA seeks to provide a social and professional network for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender graduates of the five United States Military Academies.

Military Community Services Network
Firsty social support structure for gay troops and their families. Tony Smith, Director MCSN POBox 2963 Arlington, VA 22202-0605

Gay and Lesbian Servicemember's for Equality
If you are a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trangender service member,veteran, partner, family member or ally, this website is for you. After a year and a half, the GLSMEforum has been redesigned as a resource for those who serve and those interested in repealing the US Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. Life can be difficult for those who have to serve in silence. Our site provides relevant resources for service members and their families, information and current events about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and a chance to share your story and connect with others. Interested in becoming an activist? This site is for you as well. Learn the facts, controversy, and current actions surrounding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Get connected to the community brought together by the brave service of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coastguardsmen.