OutServe Launches Magazine For Gay Service Members That Will Be Available On Military Bases

WASHINGTON -- With repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy moving steadily forward, an LGBT organization has launched a new magazine for gay service members.

The publication is being put together by OutServe, an organization that describes itself as an underground network of more than 2,900 LGBT military personnel. The bimonthly magazine will cover the implementation of DADT repeal, and the activities at OutServe chapters, among other issues.

“Our first objective with the magazine is to let all the gay, lesbian, bi, and trans members currently serving know that they are not alone,” said OutServe’s co-director, an active-duty officer who goes by the pseudonym JD Smith, said in a statement. “And we also want to communicate to all troops that there are capable gay military members serving honorably, and that accepting that and moving on will make our military stronger.”

Smith said that the plan is to have the next version of the publication out in print at some of the larger military bases.

“Visibility is key," he added. "We are not about highlighting our differences, but demonstrating how LGBT troops are proud soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coasties, and Marines just like everyone else.”

As the Defense Department works to implement repeal of the military's policy banning openly gay service members, LGBT organizations have warned people to not yet come out, and gay men and women trying to enlist or reenlist are not yet able to do so.

In an email to OutServe members, board member and former West Point graduate Katie Miller wrote, "This not only symbolizes the repeal of DADT and the subsequent end of our silence, but for heterosexual service members, the magazine will help to build acceptance of gays and lesbians in the military, reduce the stigma associated with us, and begin deconstructing negative stereotypes that divide us rather than unite us. In the future, service members, gay or straight, will peruse the magazine in waiting rooms as casually as they pick up The Military Times, and they will finally come to realize what we’ve said all along: being gay is no big deal."

The current issue of the magazine can be downloaded on OutServe's website.

Comments

[Ryan Gun]

04:06 AM on 03/31/2011

Katie Miller is not a WP graduate. She was a cadet who outed herself and was discharged. She made herself a spectacle and probably did more to hurt than progress gay rights in the military. This is coming from a gay academy graduate.

[flatliners82]

07:27 PM on 03/29/2011

This is fabulous news!

Anyone know when they will be issuing the pink glitter uniform BDU's?

[Good Wolf]

07:07 PM on 03/29/2011

Why are homophobic, bigoted comments tolerated here?

[Bob Kellerman]

03:31 PM on 03/29/2011

Good idea, but RIDICULOUS to print it, rather than having it online
--- just owning a copy "outs" you, then you have to deal with everyone's opinion.

[jayde1958]

10:22 PM on 03/28/2011

So, who is going to give mouth to mouth, place their hands into a wound of an openly "gay" person? No one! Let them bleed out!!!!

[BeautyAmerican]

12:59 AM on 03/29/2011

I find your comment to be reprehensible. Would you let a complete stranger bleed out in front of you? They won't be wearing pink triangles, if they are wearing a US Service uniform, they are worthy of respect and care.

[jayde1958]

12:33 PM on 03/29/2011

I dont give a rats arse what YOU find reprehensible. I asked a question of YOU. Would YOU give mouth to mouth, or place your hands into a wound of someone who is openly gay? THIS is why Don't Ask Don't Tell is IMPORTANT. GOT it?

[jrd8784]

01:22 PM on 03/29/2011

that is an irresponsible and dangerous thing to say. Sexual preferences do not change people from human to animals. Educate yourself.

[jayde1958]

01:58 PM on 03/29/2011

NO that is NOT irresponsible NOR dangerous. That is REALITY!!! You answer the question. Are you going to give mouth to mouth or put your hands into / onto a persons wound that is openly gay? Awaiting...... You educate yourself. I'm career military. They're dead. I'm not touching them and passing whatever to my family. Your turn, ANSWER the question.

[jayde1958]

02:03 PM on 03/29/2011

My comments is NOT irresponsible NOR dangerous. Dangerous is allowing gays to serve openly. Please answer the question posed. Are YOU going to give mouth to mouth or place your hands into the wound of a openly gay person? Awaiting.

[banana republican]

07:07 PM on 03/28/2011

I can hardly wait for the swimsuit issue. I can see it now: a tall, buff, and tanned GI posing with an M16 wearing a desert storm camouflage hat and speedo. It will instantly become as timeless as the IWO GIMA photo.

[Michael Bedwell]

07:01 PM on 03/28/2011

They obviously mean well, but good intentions alone have proven poor matches for DoD homophobia for decades. This passive, must-not-rock-the-boat approach, in large part, could have been written by a straight Pentagon “reporter.”

Worst is OutServe’s pusillanimous position that the repeal slow walk is AOK. Even previously too timid SLDN is finally calling foul as the Palm Center did MONTHS ago:

"The Pentagon could easily repeal the ban TODAY if there was the POLITICAL will. THE FOOT-DRAGGING IS NOT ABOUT SOME SINCERE OR LEGITIMATE SENSE THAT THE TROOPS NEED TO BE TRAINED ON HOW TO DEAL WITH GAYS; it’s because they don’t want to be around when the policy happens.”

MARCH 22, SLDN—“This training is not rocket science. THE SERVICES CAN GET THIS DONE BY APRIL 30TH. It’s simply taking too long, & it’s time to speed up the process.”

MARCH 25, Maj. Gen. Dennis Laich (RET)—“[THIS] SCHEDULE WOULD MEAN THAT FULL REPEAL WOULD NOT BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL OCTOBER. THAT IT WOULD TAKE A MILITARY THAT CAN GO HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD TO UNSEAT A DICTATOR IN 30 DAYS MORE THAN 5 MONTHS TO COMMUNICATE SUCH A SIMPLE SET OF FUNDAMENTAL MORAL PRINCIPLES TO ITS FORCE IS UNACCEPTABLE & UNNECESSARY.”

Apparently OutServe refuses to push back on the refusal by the DoD to include gays under protections given other minorities or to extend to gay military couples even those partner benefits that are NOT banned by DOMA such as “military housing.”

Sad.

[zetacplus]

06:34 PM on 03/28/2011

Wouldn't a website be easier? It seems like magazines are dying so why a print magazine? Many gay military members aren't going to buy this magazine, especially on a military base. Everything is online now and that's what outserve should be concentrating on.

[YoMama]

07:45 PM on 03/28/2011

Visibility, which a paper magazine provides, is important in this situation.

[Bob Kellerman]

03:36 PM on 03/29/2011

Poor thinking, sorry -- the magazine will become an instrument for teasing, copies will be destroyed by the preachy right-wing religious, etc.

And young folks are not so keen on paper magazines anyhow
Your generation or mine might have needed the visibility, times have changed

[Pollytiques]

05:23 PM on 03/28/2011

Transgender,,,,transgender...oh yeah..isn't that what that famous conservative hypocrite J. Edgar Hoover was? I figure if one could run this country for almost 55 years. Why can't any that want to, die for it.

http://www.transgenderzone.com/features/jedgarhoover.htm

[Atwill]

05:04 PM on 03/28/2011

Dont see where there is much a need for this. but ok. Cant do any harm.

[POR4319]

04:34 PM on 03/28/2011

It is worth pointing out that however unwise a change in policy might have been it did not cover transgendered. Some small saving grace perhaps, but worth noting to the LGBT crowd.

[Ioan Lightoller]

09:26 PM on 03/28/2011

You couldn't car less about the transgendered. Just something to throw in the gay community's face.

[SSGTUSAF]

04:31 PM on 03/28/2011

While I appreciate the intent of the magazine, I would like to state my feelings on the matter. As a service member I would like to be seen as the same. I believe that having a gay service member's magazine available on post will create more wedges than currently exist. They do not have magazines for female service members or racial minorities on post because we are all one. The repeal of DADT and the future goals that will be obtained, i.e. equal benefits, are completely reliant on gays being seen as an equal and not by creating a sub-division. Requesting printed newsletters or having a online news magazine is, in my opinion, more productive to our cause for equality. Aside from creating division, the magazine will cause additional controversy and unrest when service members want the dust to settle. One thing at a time. Pushing additional agendas when the repeal in itself has not been lifted is dangerous politically and physically for gays serving.

[chaya]

05:02 PM on 03/28/2011

I understand your fears, but I think you might want to wait until you see the magazine.

Female service members and racial minorities never needed a magazine because they are obvious females or racial minorities. Straight people have been afraid of gays--and therefore hated them--for a couple of thousand years because they don't know what they look like or act like. (Because they forced them into the closet). The faster straight soldiers are introduced to gay people the better--and just removing discrimination isn't going to do that fast enough.

Btw, your "additional agendas" concern is completely off-base and speaks to your own personal prejudice. They have no "agendas." That is a fear of the bigoted right-wing.

[Atwill]

05:05 PM on 03/28/2011

I can see your point. I was in the USAF. But i do feel lifting DADT is the right thing to do.

[MAB]

03:55 PM on 03/28/2011

It's about time the LGBT community did a little self-promotion. Lookout, crass Johnny Crass, below; the gays are gonna getcha! Ha!

[Johnny Crass]

03:23 PM on 03/28/2011

..and we are off to the races. see what a little tolerance brings? can't wait to read about all the sidelining organized mischief gays will bring to the military now that they have been amnestied.

[capercaper]

04:06 PM on 03/28/2011

Spot on.

An added challenge for the lgbt activist community is the 80% of gay military currently serving who have indicated they have no desire or intention to serve "openly" under the DADT repeal.

Let the games begin . . .

[Atwill]

05:07 PM on 03/28/2011

How stupid. 80%. how can you poll them when they cant say they are gay. stop posting lies.

[CheapTrick]

04:16 PM on 03/28/2011

Ah... so that's your problem... we'll have more fun?