Who celebrates our queer servicemembers on Memorial Day?
Filed by: Rev Irene Monroe
May 24, 2009 7:00 PM

http://www.bilerico.com/2009/05/who_celebrates_our_queer_servicemembers.php

TAmerican Flag flying.jpghere will be parades all across the country this Memorial Day commemorating our U.S. service members who died while in the military. But not all of our servicemembers will be honored for their acts of bravery and patriotism.

Back in the day, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer servicemembers who died while servicing our country were either closeted about their sexual orientation or were discharged under "honorable conditions" called "Fraudulent Enlistment."

Unfortunately, today not much has changed.

Memorial Day is not Veterans Day, though many seem to confuse the two.  Memorial Day is to honor the fallen dead, and be they gay, straight or whatever - they are the same when they are in a National Cemetery or buried with honors at a local one.

Quote from: tekla on May 25, 2009, 12:03:19 AM
Memorial Day is not Veterans Day, though many seem to confuse the two.  Memorial Day is to honor the fallen dead, and be they gay, straight or whatever - they are the same when they are in a National Cemetery or buried with honors at a local one.

Yup, this.  I haven't heard of someone being discharged post mortum.  I suppose you could honor those LGBT people who were barred from enlistment and might've died... but that seems like a stretch.

I'm a veteran and I remember those who have given their lives, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Gennee

When you have seen what you cannot talk about, this day takes on a particular meaning that words cannot describe.