Veteran Stories
Veterans' Stories
The following stories articulate the contributions that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans have made to the U.S. armed forces. Click on the veteran's name to read his or her story and please share your story.
HRC has received many stories from veterans and will continue to collect and post some of these stories as part of this ongoing project. If you do not see your story listed, rest assured that we are keeping it on file for future use.
William Smith
Sergeant, United States U.S. Army and Army Reserve (1989-1997)
Jason Grodensky
Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps (2000-2002)
Autumn Sandeen
FC1, United States Navy (1980-2000)
Vicki J. Hall
Staff Sergeant, United States Air Force (1983-1991)
Paul F. Tschudi
Specialist 5, United States Army (1967-1970)
Anonymous
Major; U.S. Air Force (Retired)
Phil Adams
Captain, U.S. Marine Corps (1983-1992)
Dan Altimus
Personnelman Second Class, U.S. Navy (1950-1955)
William T. Atkins
Major, U.S. Air Force (Retired)
Garland Auton
Senior Airman, U.S. Air Force (1987-1990)
Patricia Baillie
Major, U.S. Air Force (Retired)
John Ball Jr.
Sergeant, United States Marine Corps (1999-2003)
Lara Ballard
Captain, U.S. Army (1991-1995)
Joe Barrows
Specialist, U.S. Army (1969-1970)
Gene Bivens
Specialist, U.S. Army (1967-1968)
Margarethe Cammermeyer
Colonel, U.S. Army National Guard (Retired)
Jeff Cleghorn
Major, U.S. Army (Retired)
Chuck Clopton
Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired)
Sonya Contreras
Sergeant, U.S. Army (1998-2003)
Cheryl Ann Costa
Petty Officer First Class, U.S. Navy (1974-1981)
Kevin Cullens
Petty Officer Second Class, U.S. Navy (1982-1992)
Melissa Sheridan Embser-Herbert
Captain, U.S. Army/Army Reserve (1978-2000)
Gina Foringer
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army (1990-1994)
John Frybarger
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (1965-1969)
Rachael Goss
Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (1991-2001)
Daniel B. Johnson
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps (1965-1969)
Franklin E. Kameny
Private First Class, U.S. Army (1943-1945)
Rebecca A. Kanis
Captain, U.S. Army (1991-2000)
Jeffrey Kongslie
Senior Airman, U.S. Air Force (1992-1999)
A.J. Legault
Sergeant, U.S. Army (1987-1995)
Nick Marulli
Petty Officer First Class, U.S. Navy(Retired)
Michael McEnroe
Captain, U.S. Army (1950-1952)
Rick McGilton
Petty Officer Third Class, U.S. Coast Guard (1972-1976)
Donn B. Murphy
Corporal, U.S. Army (1950-1952)
Hillary O’Connor
Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)
Leonard W. Peacock
Leonard W. Peacock Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army (1995-2001)
Brian Q. Porter
Chief Warrant Officer 2, U.S. Army (1988-1993) Aviator
Christopher Priest
Sergeant, U.S. Army (1987-1995)
Hank Thomas
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
Ed Urbaniak
Captain, United States Army (1983-1992)
Stacy Vasquez
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army (1991-2003)
Nathan White
HM2, U.S. Navy (1950-1954, 1956-1957)
William Winnewisser
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (1982-2002)
Walt Young
Seaman Apprentice, U.S. Navy (1969-1975)