Despite being deeply conflicted about his sexual inclinations, Matlovich followed in his father’s footsteps and volunteered for service in Vietnam. He served three tours of duty until being seriously wounded when he stepped on a land mine in Da Nang, earning him both a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. While teaching race relations courses to Air Force service members, Matlovich was transformed politically, helping him to develop greater self-acceptance. Believing that the discrimination faced by African Americans was similar to the persecution that homosexuals endured, Matlovich began taking steps to come out of the closet. On March 6, 1975 he revealed his homosexuality for the first time in a letter to his commanding officer. Despite his exemplary military record, a three-member military panel ruled Matlovich unfit for service and discharged him in October 1975. After the U.S. District Court ordered his reinstatement, the Air Force offered Matlovich a financial settlement. Convinced they would find some other reason to discharge him if he reentered the service, Matlovich accepted. The issue of homosexuality in the military was brought to the forefront because of Matlovich’s confession, and catapulted him into the role of a national hero for the cause of gay and lesbian rights. Matlovich died from AIDS on June 23, 1988 and was interred with full military honors in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. His headstone reads simply “A Gay Vietnam Veteran” and is inscribed with the words he made famous: “When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.”
The Legacy Project recognizes the many roles Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered people have played in the advancement of world history and culture. “THE LEGACY WALK” – the only outdoor International GLBT History Museum in the World – is coming to North Halsted Street in Chicago to be dedicated on October 11, 2011.
For information, to donate or to volunteer, go to www.legacyprojectchicago.org
