Wed, November 2 2011
Media Contact
Cindi Creager, Director of Communications & Marketing
(212) 620-7310, ccreager@gaycenter.org
A Celebration of Service; LGBT Veteran's Day Reception
Honoring LGBT Veterans and Servicemembers and Marking the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
On Friday, November 11th, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center is proud to host A Celebration of Service, an evening reception recognizing the first Veterans Day in which lesbian, gay, and bisexual servicemembers can serve openly and proudly in the United States Armed Forces. The event will highlight the journey traveled by our community which led to the eventual and groundbreaking recent repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." It will also showcase individuals and their stories – servicemembers, partners, and families, all of whom have something to celebrate and commemorate on this momentous occasion.
Speakers for this event include:
Josh Seefried, a First Lieutenant and finance officer in the United States Air Force. Previously under the pseudonym, "JD Smith," Seefried is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of OutServe, the organization of actively serving LGBT servicemembers.
Sue Fulton, a 1980 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and has served in the Signal Corps in Germany as a platoon leader, staff officer, and company commander in the Army. Fulton is the current Executive Director of Knights Out, the organization for West Point LGBT alumni, faculty, and staff.
Denny Meyer, a son of a World War II Holocaust refugee and an activist for over 50 years. Meyer first marched with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) at the age of 13 in 1960. Meyer served for ten years in two services; both the Navy and Army Reserve. Meyer is the national Public Affairs and Veterans Affairs officer for American Veterans for Equal Rights and Media Director of Transgender American Veterans Association.
Veterans Day is an American holiday that honors America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. This Veterans Day, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center will celebrate the end of "DADT" and openly honor our LGBT Veterans and Servicemembers. The Center warmly welcomes all members of the community to celebrate this holiday with us and take part in this special event.
The Center is honored to co-sponsor this event with American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA), OutServe, Knights Out, Service Women's Action Network (SWAN), and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), Military Partners and Families Coalition (MPFC), Thomas Hooker Brewing Company, and Roy Braeger Events.
| WHO/WHAT |
The Center presents A Celebration of Service; LGBT Veterans Day Reception; a special event honoring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans and servicemember | |
| WHEN |
Friday, November 11, 6 PM - 8:30 PM | |
| WHERE |
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center 208 West 13th Street New York City |
|
| CONTACT |
Press should RSVP to: Cindi Creager, Director of Communications & Marketing (646) 358-1703, ccreager@gaycenter.org and Adrian Ogle, Cultural Programs Coordinator aogle@gaycenter.org |
About the Center
A beacon of hope for 29 years, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center builds and supports our community through arts and culture, wellness and recovery, family services and life-saving youth programs designed to foster healthy development in a safe, affirming environment. The Center envisions a world where LGBT people will no longer face discrimination or isolation because of who we are or who we love. We offer a welcoming home to 300,000 visitors each year and we are committed to serving all LGBT people through a variety of programs, services and activities that are designed to meet existing and emerging needs.The Center is many things to many people. We invite you to experience our home at 208 West 13th Street in person and online at gaycenter.org
