Washington, DC — July 7, 2011 — OutServe, the association of LGBT military personnel announced that the Central Intelligence Agency has signed on as a sponsor for the 2011 OutServe Armed Forces Leadership Summit. “The Central Intelligence Agency sponsorship exemplifies the climate of mutual respect for all that was cultivated on Secretary Panetta’s watch,” said Jonathan Hopkins, OutServe’s DC Managing Director and combat veteran.
The Central Intelligence Agency will join Amazon on a panel addressing post military careers LGBT veterans can seek after their time in service. “Our first priority is to support the military in moving forward in a post-repeal environment; but eventually all our members will transition to civilian life. OutServe is determined to help veterans transition successfully,” said J.D. Smith, who uses a pseudonym while “don’t ask, don’t tell” is in effect. “We’re very happy that the CIA is a possible future career path for our veterans, who have already shown their desire to serve this country.”
The Central Intelligence Agency joins a growing list of government agencies, organizations, and corporations sponsoring the 2011 OutServe Leadership Summit. The Human Rights Campaign, Amazon, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Coverity, Out & Equal, Log Cabin Republicans, Stonewall Demoscrats of Southern Nevada, and American Veterans for Equal Rights have previously signed on. The Summit will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 13-16 at New York-New York Hotel and Casino. For more information on the summit please go to www.outserve.org/summit/
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OutServe is the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel. With over 3,000 members and 42 chapters worldwide, it is the one of the largest LGBT employee resource groups in the world. OutServe works to support a professional network of LGBT military personnel and create an environment of respect in the military with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity.