HuffPost Live Talks With Brett Jones, The First Openly Gay Navy SEAL

WATCH: Meet The First Openly Gay Navy SEAL

Brett Jones, the first openly gay Navy SEAL, was outed while serving when a voicemail to his boyfriend, who was also a member of the United States military, leaked. The resulting backlash was astounding, including a massive, three-month investigation into Jones' personal life.

"I've known that I've been gay since I was probably about six years old," Jones told HuffPost Live. "I knew going in[to the Navy] that I was going to have to do a lot of lying. Under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' -- it goes a little beyond that. The SEAL community is a tight-knit one and you know everything about everyone there. I knew I was going to have to lie about who I was."

Jones previously wrote a blog for HuffPost Gay Voices about his mission to push for equality in America's red states. In this blog he shared with readers:

"I love my family and the best way I know how to change my situation is to try and live my life as an example, much in the way that I try to be an example to my son. It's my hope that through this objective I am able to disarm the resentment of at least one hyper-conservative, thus freeing that person to take that crucial step towards respect. I have to believe that benefits us all."

Curious to see the rest of the HuffPost Live segment with Jones? Head here to watch it in full.

Before You Go

Marissa Gaeta And Citlalic Snell Claim A Navy Tradition

Look Back: 25 Memorable Stories Since The Repeal Of DADT

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