Miss Calpernia Addams - California - MTF
USN - Jan 06 1990-Nov 11 1994 - E4
self-identified in service: Yes
Out since: July 1993 - Coming Out: 10
honors & citations: Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, SouthWest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon

Bio: I first came out as "other than straight" to a group of lesbian airplane mechanics and technicians while stationed on an island 2400 miles off the coast of Alaska. We still had to be secretive, but they were the first people I had ever come out to, and they become my lifeline as I grew more and more unsatisfied with denying myself. In later years, two of us ended up coming out as transgendered and transitioning in the civilan world.

Mr. John C. Ames - Texas - Gay
USAF - May 1985-Sep 01 1992 - O3
Military nick: Flyboy
self-identified in service: Yes
Out since: 1966 - Coming Out: 10
honors & citations: 15th Air Force Public Affairs Company Grade Officer of the Year 1989

Bio: I was a military (USMC) brat. My father retired from the Marines when I was in college. I felt the military way of life was my "calling". It was all I knew, all I wanted to do.

While attending college I was not sure which service I preferred so I joined both the Army and Air Force ROTC programs. When it came time to make a decision I joined the Air Force.

I do not regret my time in the service, in fact, I’m very proud of it. I only wish I could have served my country and be honest about who I am, a proud gay man serving his country.

While on active duty I was pretty much a "monk", too scared to do or say anything for fear of being found OUT. My service predates Don't Ask, Don't Tell and officers who came out or were found out were made examples of and received dishonorable discharges.

When it was time to re-enlist I decided to get out as my sexual orientation was not compatible with the military life style. It was about this time that Clinton was running for president and was promising to “Lift the Ban”. After my discharge I worked on a number of campaigns and volunteered my time toward GLBT issues and I am still doing so today.
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Mr. James Apedaile - Missouri - Gay
USRA - Jun 21 1983-Apr 29 1991 - E6
Military nick: Jamie
self-identified in service: Yes
Out since: Jan 1990 - Coming Out: 10
honors & citations: National Defense Service Medal; Army Achievement Medal w/1 OLC; Army Good Conduct Medal 2nd Award; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2); Air Assault Badge; Parachute Badge; Driver & Mechanic Badge (W); Recruiter Badge w/ 3 gold stars; Expert Qualification (M-16)

Bio: Well I struggled with my sexual identity in the service. Not only did I struggle with my sexual orientation but I also had to deal with my religious background. While I was struggling I eventually had many sexual encounters with men while in the service. Almost all of them with fellow service members. I went to my first Gay bar in June 1988 and started to come to grips with my sexual orientation. However I knew that I had to be descreet as I enjoyed my military career. I had decided after my first 4 years to make the Army my career and I did everything in my power to do so. While I was working as an Army Recruiter in Carson City, NV, which by the way I was good at I was 122% of my goal, I found out that I was HIV +. So before I even had a chance to really live life in the "Gay World" I was already diagnosed with this dreadful disease. That was in January 1990, I was told I basically had 5 years to live, but I was determined to live my life to its fullest. When I decided to take a Medical Retirement in April 1991, I decided that I was going to whatever I could to make the Military all inclusive. When I found out about GLBVA now AVER in 1994 I immediately joined and I have been a member for most of the last 11 years. I was elected to the National Vice President of Veteran's Affairs at the convention in 1995 and have held other offices both on the local level as Vice President of Rocky Mountain Chapter and I am in my 2nd tour of duty as Region IV Vice President. My first time I did anything to comeout was when I first got out of the Army I went to a Rally at the California State Capital to protest Govornor Pete Wilson not signing AB 101. I also joined the Rainbow Generation and was the secretary of that organization, which was on Modesto Junior College as part of the schools clubs and organizations.

Mr. Felix Arrieta - Texas - Gay
USAF - Sep 14 1981-Apr 10 2004 - E5
self-identified in service: Yes
Out since: Dec 1992 - Coming Out: 10
honors & citations: Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Enduring Freedom

Bio: I knew I was gay at the age of 11. On September 14, 1981, I joined the Air Force at the age of 19. Yes, I checked "No" on that question! I came out to my younger brother in December 1992, already serving 11 years and separating from active duty thru the early out program.

I joined the Texas Air National Guard in April 1995 after a 2.5 year break from active duty. I was told by the Recruiter that "the question" can no longer be asked.

I came out to my Mother in January 2001. She was OK with it, and still loves me unconditionally. I love you Mom!

On April 10, 2004, after wearing the uniform for 20 non-consecutive years and working as an Air Transportation Specialist, it was time to retire and "be free, be the real me!"

Thru out the years I served Uncle Sam, I gave it "all" of my very best. Perhaps that's what helped me get thru the suspicions about me and the fear I endured of being discovered. No one should have to serve in fear because of their sexuality. The gay bashing needs to stop!! I am so proud and honored to be part of this organization.
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Mr. Clifton F. Arnesen - Massachusetts - Bisexual
USRA - Dec 1965-Jan 1967 - E1
self-identified in service: Yes
Out since: 1966 - Coming Out: 5
honors & citations: (none listed)

Bio: Due to an alcoholic father and a mother with a heart condition, I grew up in an orphanage and spent seven years at the predominately African American Wiltwyck School for Boys, where, at age ten, I became physically and emotionally attracted to some of the other 99 boys; and also became a friend with Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, who helped found Wiltwyck.
    After my discharge from Wiltwyck, I lived with my mother on welfare. In an effort to escape the poverty and abuse from my father, I persuaded my mom to sign a waiver for me to Join the Army -- despite the fact that the war in Vietnam was escalating, and that I knew I was bisexual.
    In 1965, I dropped out of high school and joined the US Army. After completing Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training in 1966, I could no longer live my life as a lie and told my Commanding Officer I was gay/bisexual. I was interrogated by the Central Intelligence Division (CID), ordered to see a psychiatrist, and sent to a priest for counseling.
    Afterwards, I signed a "confession," was court-martialed, served four months in a military prison, and received an "Undesirable Discharge" based on homosexuality -- which precluded my receiving any educational or medical benefits. In 1977, I petitioned the US Army Review Board and my Undesirable Discharge was upgraded to "General Under Honorable Conditions." The upgrade allowed me to become the first person in my family to go to college. I graduated in 1988 with High Honors in Human Services with a psychology major; and a 3.9 GPA.
    In 1988, I was elected President of the New England Gay & Lesbian Veterans, Inc. in Boston, MA, becoming the first bisexual veteran in America to lead a predominately Gay veterans organization.
    In 1989, I and 12 other members had a meeting in Boston with Dr. Paul Comacho, Director of the William Joiner Center Congressional Conferences on Veterans In Washington, DC, who arranged for us to attend the Conference in May 1989. Thus, I became the first openly bisexual veteran in US History to testify before the US Congress on behalf of our country's GLBT veterans, via the US House Veterans Affairs Committee.
    From that point on, I did all that I could to advocate and fight back at the military that had imprisoned me by becoming one of the six Co-Founders [along with Miriam Ben-Shalom, Ken Huntington, Bill Lake, Chuck Schoen, and Jim Woodward] of the Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of America in May 1990, now known as American Veterans for Equal Rights, Inc.
    Timeline:

• March, 7 1991: Interviewed by author Randy Shilts for his book: “Conduct Unbecoming: Gays and Lesbians in the US Military
• August 27, 1991: Changed New England G & L Veterans name to include the name "bisexual." [NEGLB Veterans]
• MARCH 5, 1993: I supplied official and permanent written Congressional testimony to Senator Sam Nunn’s US Senate Armed Services Committee, in an effort to lift the ban on gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the military.
• MAY 5, 1993: laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, along with officers/members of the NEGLB Veterans, Boston, to honor all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans who gave their lives in service to our country.
• Feb, 16 1997: Appointed to a two year term as National VP & Legislative Affairs, by the Executive Board of the GLBVA [now AVER]
• 5 May 1997: PENTAGON MEETING: Along with four officers of the GLBVA, I met with Mr. Frederick Pang, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Management, to discuss the problems of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
• 7 MAY 1997: WHITE HOUSE MEETING: I, along with officers of GLBVA and the NEGLB Veterans, met with the gay liaison and Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton, Mr. Richard Socarides, to discuss the problems of the Don’t Ask, Don't Tell" Policy.
• 1997 To 2005: Included "Transgender" in name of the NEGLB Veterans; received the "Medal of Valor" from the predominately gay Alexander Hamilton Post 448 [American Legion] for my 17 years of advocacy for civil human rights; and am current Vice President of: New England Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Veterans, Inc.