GLBT veterans observe Veterans Day

As the country debates Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Chicagoans paid tribute to LGBT servicemembers on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, at Ann Sather restaurant in Chicago.

During the 18th annual GLBT Veterans Day dinner, Dr. Ann Bidwell, retired Navy Captain, and Lee Reinhart, former Navy Radar man 2nd Class and Coast Guardsman, were honored with the Happy Warrior awards for their service both during and after their military careers.

Bidwell retired with 27 years of Navy service and Reinhard successfully completed many years as an openly gay man in the Navy only to join the Coast Guard and be discharged under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Since leaving the military, both have been leaders in communicating the ills of the policy and have represented the movement to repeal it.

The event was also the occasion for the unveiling of the design for a Chicago monument to GLBT veterans. A fundraising effort for “Do Tell: Chicago” is being spearheaded by IVU-One View: Uniting People. Installation in Space Park, 815-817 W. Roscoe, is planned for Memorial Day 2011. Learn more at www.1vu.org

The Chicago Chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (formerly named Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Veterans of America) is part of national non-profit association dedicated to equal rights and equitable treatment for present and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Chicago chapter of AVER meets the first Thursday of each month at the Center on Halsted. Learn more at www.averchicago.org.