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Title: Autumn Sandeen's Prepared Speech For San Diego Pride's Stonewall Rally
Post by: Shana A on July 18, 2010, 08:00:49 AM
Autumn Sandeen's Prepared Speech For San Diego Pride's Stonewall Rally
by: Autumn Sandeen
Sat Jul 17, 2010 at 10:00:00 AM EDT

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/16746/autumn-sandeens-prepared-speech-for-san-diego-prides-stonewall-rally (http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/16746/autumn-sandeens-prepared-speech-for-san-diego-prides-stonewall-rally)

Below is the prepared text for the speech I delivered at San Diego Pride's Stonewall Rally on Friday, July 16, 2010. I went second to the last, between Don' Ask, Don't Tell activist Joseph Rocha and GetEqual activist Robin 'Ready To Rumble' McGeehee.

As you heard from Bob [Leyh], my name is Autumn Sandeen. Let me proudly say "I am a transgender American."

Hey -- not that it matters much towards claiming American citizenship, but I have some (air quotes) "creds" for that citizen status of mine. I am a Persian Gulf War veteran. I retired from the United States Navy after twenty years of honorable service. I am disabled Persian Gulf War veteran at that. My disabilities are service connected; my Veterans Administration disability rating is 100%.

And if you didn't know, I served in the military while presenting as male.