Local Gay Vets Get AVER Charter
By Michael James
Editor • 954.563.0433
Dozens of local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered veterans met at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) on June 7 for what was their first official meeting as the Florida Gold Coast Chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER). AVER national president A.J. Rogue was in town to present them with their official charter.
The original local organization, Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America was founded in 1991 and continued until the death of Karl Clark in 2001. Several members of the original organization are among the founders of the modern AVER chapter.
The organization has wasted no time in their efforts, according to President Mary O’Connor. Since March they have elected officers, developed their constitution and bylaws, registered the chapter with the state as a 501(C)(3), opened their bank account, applied for the charter from AVER national, obtained a banner and other support materials and developed uniforms for their honor guard.
The first public appearance of the group will be as the grand marshals of the Stonewall Street Festival parade, which takes place on June 19. They have acquired a flatbed truck for the event, which they are decorating as a float, and are seeking volunteers to help put the final touches on it. They will be sharing a booth with Scouting for All.
During the presentation of their charter, Rogue shared a story these veterans say is all too common in the armed forces. He had joined the Navy to be a SEAL and even went through Hell Week with appendicitis, a feat they say can only be accomplished by those with the mettle to be in such a division. Later, he would be transferred to the Marines.
“I had every intention of making the military my life-long career,” Rogue said. But, years later, when his superiors discovered that he was not a heterosexual, they asked him to sign a document that stated that he was, in fact, a homosexual and agreed to discuss it with no one. “I couldn’t sign that document, because I wasn’t gay,” he said. “I’m a bisexual. Now that threw them for a loop. They had no idea how to respond to that.”
Ultimately, as is this case with thousands of Americans every year, he was forced out of the military, losing his benefits and bruising his pride. “All I’ve ever wanted to do was serve my country. The fact that I have everything it takes to make a damned good soldier apparently means nothing to these people. I’m willing to die for my country, but they don’t even want to look me in the eye.”
Rogue went on to say, “These tactics smack of McCarthyism. The amount of people in this room proves that not only are we able to serve, but willing… Gay people have been serving since the Revolutionary War.”
Ironically, he pointed out that the era of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” may come to an end when the United States reinstates the national draft. “Right now, they’re activating people that haven’t served in decades.” Using the generally accepted 10 percent ratio of gay people in the population, there are currently over 65,000 GLBT persons serving in the military.
Membership in the group is open to anyone who has served in any branch of the military and believes in equal rights from all Americans. For more information, they can be contacted by calling Dick Rogers at 954.537.3582 or 954.802.0495. The national group can be reach on the Internet at www.AVER.us.