2020 LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH
Date Signed: 6/8/2020 | MARADMINS Number: 332/20
MARADMINS : 332/20

R 052144Z JUN 20
MARADMIN 332/20
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/2020 LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH//
REF/A/PUBLIC LAW, UNITED STATES CODE 10. 654//
REF/B/PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION, 2016//
REF/C/GAO REPORT, 1992//
REF/D/GAO REPORT, 1993//
REF/E/RAND REPORT, 2010//
REF/F/PUBLIC LAW 111–321//
POC/ CHADWICK, M. L./CAPT/MPE/MRA/TEL: COM 703-784-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June.  During the month, we take the opportunity to recognize our LGBT Service Members and reflect upon the past.  We celebrate their successes and recognize the contributions they have brought to our Corps.  This year we celebrate the ten year anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT).
2.  In 1993, President Clinton announced that he intended to keep his campaign promise to eliminate military discrimination based on sexual orientation.  After lengthy public debate and congressional hearings, the President and Senator Sam Nunn, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, reached a compromise which they labeled the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue Act”.  The policy sought to ease restrictions against homosexual service members without the outright removal of the ban.  Under the Act, military personnel would not be asked nor would they have to share their sexual orientation.  However, a RAND report in 2010 found that the vast majority of service members stated that DADT put them at personal risk for a variety of adverse experiences such as mocking, blackmail, manipulation, threats, and abuse.  Several lesbian and gay members of the military came out publicly and vigorously challenged their discharges through the legal system.  Two cases that challenged the DADT policy were Witt v. Department of the Air Force and Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) v. United States.  In both cases the judges found that the military’s ban on service members was unconstitutional and was in violation of the service members’ rights.  In the first case, the plaintiff won and received their full military retirement.  In the second case, on October 12 2010, Federal Judge Virginia A. Phillips ruled in favor of the members of the LCR, and ordered the military to suspend and discontinue any investigation or discharge, separation, or other proceeding that began under DADT.  In December of 2010, the House and Senate voted to repeal the DADT policy.  President Obama signed it into law December 22, 2010.  As of September 20, 2011, sexual orientation is no longer a discriminator for discharge from military service.  Over 13,600 Service Members were discharged for their sexual orientation under DADT.
3.  The Marine Corps is committed to living the values we defend and treating everyone equally, and with dignity and respect.  As such, the Marine Corps takes pride in building strength through diversity.  The Corps is dedicated to promoting a professional environment free from personal, social, or institutional barriers that prevent Marines from reaching their full potential.  This June, Commanders and leaders are encouraged to take time to recognize the 2020 LGBT Pride Month, and promote participation in observance events throughout their local communities.
4.  Release authorized by Brigadier General D. L. Shipley, Division Director, Manpower Plans and Policy.//