American Veterans for Equal Rights ( AVER ) saluted and celebrated LGBT veterans on Memorial Day in Chicago. The service was held in Space Park on Roscoe just west of Halsted.
Although the event was originally planned by 1VU, a social and environmental nonprofit with plans to build a monument in honor of LGBT servicemembers in Space Park, that group appears to be in transition and as a result AVER spearheaded the event and treated guests to a touching ceremony that featured guest speakers and song.
Chicago Gay Men's Chorus kicked off the ceremony with the National Anthem. Jim Darby, president of the Chicago chapter of the AVER, welcomed attendees with a history of AVER. He also acknowledged openly gay 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney among the two dozen people in the crowd.
Guest speaker Congressman Mike Quigley channeled Abraham Lincoln's ideology of "everyone being equal" and said such an idea lived on after Lincoln's presidency. Quigley said the public should hold those in office accountable for progressive landmark decisions such as the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
"Thank the elected officials who support the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and work on the officials who don't. Human rights evolve over a period of time. There's an evolution towards greater fairness and justice in this country—people grow," said Quigley.
Lee Reinhart, a U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard veteran of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ( DADT ) , shared with guests his experience in serving in the Navy and Coast Guard as an openly gay man. Reinhart was able to serve in the Navy as an out gay man for four years and reported no discrimination. However, post-9/11, when Reinhart reenlisted to serve in the Coast Guard in 2002, he was honorably discharged less than six months later because he is gay. Reinhart said he views the repeal of DADT as a step up the ladder of equality, but warned those serving to remain private about their sexuality for the sake of their career.
"Unfortunately, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is still a law, even though it has been repealed," said Reinhart. "It's important for them [ LGBT identifying servicemembers ] to realize that even though the law has been repealed, it has not been certified by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president of the United States. Until that happens, they can still discharge people who come out as gay or lesbian."
Community activist and leader Lori Cannon spoke about the Legacy Project and touched on longtime Navy physician Tom Dooley's honorable service during the 1950s; unacknowledged as a gay man, Dooley's "out" status is overlooked by the history books. Gay veteran Travis sent guests off with his rendering of "America the Beautiful." In remembrance, a red, white and blue floral arrangement was installed in the park.
Coast Guard veteran Larry Simpson was delighted to attend as an out gay veteran.
"There are so many more veterans that identify as LGBT but they don't want to identify themselves as that, but I'm willing to come out," said Simpson.
Photos by Tracy Baim.
