AVER'S Newest
Chapter
Introducing: AVER West Tennessee
by
Tim Smith
In 1647, Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers
addressed the English Parliament. A line
from their address stands out to me as a
former Marine and gay man: “On becoming
soldiers, we have not ceased to be
citizens.”
Indeed, the backbone of this country
has been and will always be its “Citizen
Soldier.” As such, it is important to
remember that while we may give up a
comfortable bed, regular nights at home,
our choice of hairstyle or attire, we
should never be forced to give up our
unique identities as gay Americans. At
the dawn of this new and historic
presidential administration, a slow but
sure sea-change is coming. But it will
not happen without dedicated veterans
such as you and me continuing to fight
on in this new battle.For the majority
who do not know me, my name is Tim
Smith. I am acting President of the
newest chapter of the American Veterans
for Equal rights – AVER West Tennessee.
I served four years and three months in
the United States Marine Corps from May
2001-August 2005. At the time of my
discharge, I was a Corporal and the S4
Chief for VMFA(AW)-332 at MCAS Beaufort,
SC. We were 23 days from leaving for
Iraq, and I had just “extended to
re-enlist,” when the notice of discharge
came.
A retired Naval Captain and former
head of the Tri-Command Area’s
Chaplaincy Corps turned local minister
officially “outed” me to my command.
What followed, as they say, is history.
I received an Honorable Discharge but
accompanying it were the words
“Homosexual Admission” and the
letter-code “RE4.” My quest for a full,
20-year career halted.
But the hope for it did not end.
I jumped headlong into my new role as a
soldier in what has now been dubbed “The
Battle of the Ban.” I worked as a
founding member of the nationwide,
spring 2006 “Call To Duty” tour. I spoke
with small groups, radio hosts,
newspapers and magazines including
The New York Times and The
Advocate. I am appearing on a
billboard in Memphis, Tennessee as part
of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community
Center’s new campaign to promote
awareness and diversity within the
community. My role is to promote
awareness of the service of gay
veterans. (A total of five billboards
bearing differing messages of diversity
are being displayed throughout the month
going through National Coming Out Day on
October 11th).
Picture provided courtesy
of the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community
Center,
www.MGLCC.org"
My hope is for the gay veterans of
Tennessee to rise to the occasion of our
storied history as “volunteers.” I
envision a group of gay veterans sitting
in the offices of our state and national
Congress men and women on “Lobby Days.”
I see AVER representatives speaking at
local colleges, VFW and American Legion
chapters and participating in local
festivals throughout the state. Most of
all I see AVER uniting into a
formidable, cohesive unit the current
band of brothers and sisters loosely
knit together by geography but tightly
held by bonds of service.
But it will take volunteers. And we’ve
never needed volunteers as we do know.
If you would like to become a member of
AVER West Tennessee, contact me at
avertn@yahoo.com.
“Veterans and Volunteers… Always.”
© 2009
Gay Military Signal |