I want to thank all who came to DC for the National Equality March. It was an important moment for IVAW but especially for all of us who are members of IVAW and also LGBTQI.

It was important for IVAW, the queer community, and the nation.

For IVAW it is important because this was the first non-antiwar-movement event that IVAW officially endorsed. It was not so long ago that IVAW would not allow a chapter to march in a pride parade and now our east cost FO, our ED, our BoD Chair & Co-Chair, and members from across the country came to DC with pride to march behind the banner of IVAW.

For me personally it was great to again be in my adopted home of DC for a major event. I love DC and love when IVAW comes here for events. Living at the IVAW DC House is at it's best when it is full of members who are excited about events. This time however it was different for me; for one reason because I am the Interim Chair, for another because this is the first time I did so as an openly bisexual member of IVAW.

I have always fought against "coming out" as a queer member of IVAW (although a few members have known for some time) because I did not want to be the token gay vet that I have seen others become. Also because my sexuality was not an issue for me while I was in uniform I did not feel it was important for my work in IVAW.

What I did not count on was how liberating it has been for everyone to just know this side of me. It has been as liberating as it was to tell my stories from Iraq. I would encourage all queer members of IVAW and in the military to come out, live openly, and force those around us to treat us as equals.

For me the National Equality March was truly about the liberty of equality so I want to thank Wes Davey for bringing forward the resolution against DADT, Jen Hogg & Jeff Key for helping me when no one else knew of my sexuality, and all of IVAW for being my family.

What a day!