Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Paul Wu | Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Patrick Damon, left; Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class...... read more read more
Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s diversity committee hosted a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month celebration in the chapel, June 27.
Master of ceremonies, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Maila Rain Stark, began the pride celebration by speaking about the LGBT community’s history within the military. He asked that a part of the LGBT rainbow flag be held in front of the group in order to explain what each color of the flag represents.
The first portion of the flag ranged from pink at one end to red at the other, and Hospitalman Gabriela Murillo spoke about being a lesbian and her personal experiences during her nearly four years in the Navy.
“I can tell you as a lesbian Sailor for me my biggest priority is the Navy, first of all, I wear the uniform. Secondly, it’s my family,” said Murillo. “I’m married, and I’m very happy with the progress that’s been made in the Navy where my wife can actually get a DoD (Department of Defense Identification) card.”
Murillo explained the importance of her wife having a DoD card is when she is deployed, her wife can receive the same access to the resources that the Navy offers all heterosexual couple’s non-military spouses.
The remaining sections of the flag were addressed by Yeoman 1st Class L. A. Sanders, representing the gay community, and Stark for the bi-sexual and transgender communities. Each Sailor gave their personal experiences being gay, bi-sexual and transgender before and after joining the Navy.
The guest speaker for the event was Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Patrick Damon, and he was introduced as one of the first military members to march, while in uniform, in New York’s LGBT Pride Parade in 2017.
“I’m gay, but I’m a Sailor,” said Damon. “Pride is a celebration of community. No matter what we do, it’s honor, courage and commitment.” He explained that to have honor is to treat all persons with respect, to have courage is to speak up in the face of discrimination, and to have commitment to keep the U.S. Navy the best navy in the world.
“Change doesn’t come to the comfortable – it’s never easy,” said Damon. “I ask for the last minute of my speech time to reflect on our brothers and sisters who have served and died in silence.”
The celebration concluded with comments from Capt. Christopher Culp, NMCP’s commanding officer.
“One hundred years ago, the Navy didn’t look like how it looks today,” said Culp. “These celebrations, regardless of which one, try to get rid of ignorance. The bring familiarity and knowledge, and they encourage conversations among all shipmates who go to war together.”
“Each of you told a compelling story and you did it with bravery - and I commend you for it,” added Culp. “I thank you for sharing your stories and educating us and doing your part to end the ignorance that feeds discrimination.”
The celebration attendees were invited to enjoy a piece of rainbow-colored cake provided by the diversity committee in honor of pride month.
As the U. S. Navy's oldest, continuously-operating hospital since 1830, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth proudly serves past and present military members and their families. The nationally acclaimed, state-of-the-art medical center, including its nine branch clinics located throughout the Hampton Roads area, additionally offers premier research and teaching programs designed to prepare new doctors, nurses and hospital corpsmen for future roles in healing and wellness.
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.28.2018 12:19 |
| Story ID: | 282646 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 146 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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