Pride in the Uniform, Pride in Self

  • Published
  • By A1C Alexandria Crawford
  • Kirtland Public Affairs

Team Kirtland joined together in the Wing Presentation Center on June 21 to celebrate diversity with a “Pride” themed Kirtland Talks.  The briefing was presented by two LGBT guest speakers, Col. Brenda Cartier, 58th Special Operations Wing commander, and Senior Airman Christopher “Robyn” Romero, 58th Maintenance Squadron aerospace maintenance journeyman.

 

Cartier spoke about the since repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that she served under for nearly two decades. 

“Our experiences weren’t always celebratory.  The day-to-day life was a challenging saga of living in two parallel universes,” Cartier said.  “Our professional lives were celebrated and rewarded.  Our personal lives, however, were considered prohibited and incompatible with defending the constitution of the United States.”

Cartier also discussed what it was like to be unable to talk about her life outside of work with her colleagues.  She described it as a sometimes isolating experience that made her question her own integrity.

“It was a conundrum that we had such deeply held beliefs and patriotism that we were willing to give our lives for our country, but we were systematically prohibited from fully experiencing the very rights we were defending for everyone else,” Cartier said.

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was repealed in 2011, but the fight for equality for LGBT members still continues.

“For those of you who have never met someone with LGBT status, you probably have and you just don’t know it,” Romero said. “There are still many people within our community who are scared to be open about who they are.”

Romero has recently begun the process to transition to female.  He says that even though he’s proud of the steps the Air Force has taken to support its transgender servicemembers, there is still a long way to go.

“It’s still very uncomfortable, speaking about my story and what I’ve gone through thus far,” Romero said.  “It’s hard to stand in front of a group of people and disclose my status as transgender because there are still people who fear what they don’t understand.”

They are both proud of what the country has done to further support the LGBT community, and are excited to see what the future holds.

“Everyone, no matter sexual orientation or identity, will experience a time when they have to be brave in order to be themselves,” Cartier said.  “Choose to be brave.  Always remember that your diversity counts.  It is a gift to be celebrated because it is what makes us excellent.”