11/12/2024
To LGBTQ Americans who serve — bravely, proudly — and to those who have stood shoulder to shoulder with our community in courtrooms to demand justice and equality, THANK YOU. Their stories are forever inspiring and deserve our attention, especially today.
Technical Sergeant Leonard P. Matlovich was a Vietnam War veteran, a recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, and the first gay service member to purposely out himself to the military. His photograph appeared on the cover of the September 8, 1975, issue of Time magazine, making him a symbol of pride for thousands of gay and le***an service members. He was the first named openly gay person to appear on the cover of a U.S. news magazine.
His tombstone — a memorial to all gay veterans — does not bear his name. It reads, “When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.”
Listen at the link in our bio.
Images: 1️⃣ TSgt. Leonard Matlovich arriving at his administrative discharge hearing, September 16, 1975. Credit: Willard Owens/Michael Bedwell Collection; 2️⃣ Leonard Matlovich’s tombstone at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Credit: Michael Bedwell Collection; 3️⃣ Leonard Matlovich on the cover of the September 8, 1975, issue of TIME magazine. Credit: Photo by Ted Thai, courtesy of Time, Inc.
