Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of America, Inc.
Gay, lesbian and bisexual veterans from across the country converged on
Corpus Christi, Texas President's Day weekend for two days of networking,
educational seminars, speeches, planning sessions and the election of
national officers. And for the first time in history a gay veterans
service organization used facilities aboard a U.S. Naval vessel for their
plenary session.
The general membership convention, which is held every two years, began
with a reception on Friday evening at the Sandy Shores Hotel. Convention
attendees met for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and got acquainted before
beginning the serious work which brought them to this convention.
Saturday morning GLBVA officers hosted a continental breakfast for
convention attendees, the officers welcomed the convention delegates and
the invocation was delivered by Reverend Sandy O'Steen of the Metropolitan
Community Church of Corpus Christi. The highlight of the morning session
was a slide-presentation on the history of the gay, lesbian and bisexual
veterans movement presented by James Darby and gay veteran Max Woerner
presented a dramatic reading from his new work titled, "War Stories
Woven of Khaki Love and Olive Drab".
Following a luncheon on the mezzanine, guest speaker Warren Dinges spoke
to the group and gave them an update on the progress of his case against
the United States military. Dinges, who was a Captain in the Air Force,
was convicted by military court martial for engaging in a private
consensual adult relationship and served a five month sentence in the
maximum security military confinement facility at Fort Leavenworth.
Following a question and answer period, Captain Dinges thanked the group
for their outspoken position on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
policy and wished them luck in their future endeavors.
The afternoon workshops focused on topics such as the Servicemembers Legal
Defense Network, discussions of possible benefits from utilizing
recruiting and informational tools such as AOL, the internet and the World
Wide Web and an open forum for attendees to ask questions or voice
concerns and opinions.
The Sunday morning plenary session made history as the group met aboard
the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16), which was anchored less than
one-hundred yards from the convention's hotel. This was the first time
that a gay veterans service organization has used a United States naval
vessel for a plenary session. The Officers Ward Room aboard the World War
II aircraft carrier was decked out in the finest of military tradition
with the American flag, the rainbow flag, several military banners and the
flags of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. After arriving for the
Sunday morning plenary session, some convention attendees toured the
aircraft carrier while others swapped "war" stories and spoke of
their dedication to continuing the fight for the right of gays, lesbians
and bisexuals to serve openly in the military. Later in the day members
were served a meal from a traditional "chow-line", listened to
speeches from the organization's leaders and then began the nominating
process which would culminate in the election of the officers who will
govern the organization for the next two years. Results of the election
are as follows:
President ................................................James
Darby...............................................Chicago, IL.
Vice-President........................................Nancy
Russell..............................................San Antonio, TX.
Secretary................................................James
Donovan............................................Plainville, IL.
Treasurer................................................Mel
Tips......................................................Cathederal City,
CA.
Regional Coordinator..............................Mack
Thomas..............................................Mission Viejo, CA.
Vice-President Public Affairs...................Edward
Clayton...........................................Birmingham, AL.
Vice-President Veterans Affairs...............Max
Woerner..............................................Guerneville, CA.
Vice-President Legislative Affairs.............Cliff
Arnesen................................................Boston, MA.
Vice-President Membership.....................Ed
Kassing..................................................Chicago, IL.
Vice-President Gay Liaison Support........Bud
Robbins................................................San Francisco,CA.
During the session a special award was
presented to outgoing President Nancy Russell honoring her for all her
hard work over the past four years in building the organization and
establishing a viable presence on the national political scene. Under her
administration the organization saw a significant increase in membership,
obtained its 501(c)3 status, testified before numerous committees during
the 1993 LIFT THE BAN campaign and established a solid financial footing
which will ensure the organizations long-term survival. A plaque was
presented as a small token of the groups appreciation and a standing
ovation demonstrated the respect and admiration the members have for Ms.
Russell and her dedication to their cause.
The highlight of the Sunday session came when newly elected President
James C. Darby called on the group to endorse a declaration which asserts
the unacceptability of the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
policy, reaffirms the organizations commitment to the eventual removal of
ALL policies preventing the service of gay, lesbian and bisexual men and
women in the United States Armed Forces, and calls again for the president
to lift the ban. The group unanimously endorsed the Lexington Declaration
and instructed that copies of this declaration be sent to the President
and all members of congress.
GLBVA, Inc. is the only national non-profit organization
for gay, lesbian and bisexual active duty, reserve and veteran members of
the United States Armed Forces, their families, friends and supporters.
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