DAHLGREN, Va. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division commemorated Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month June 27 with the goal of promoting “equality without exception” in the military and civilian workforce.
Patrick Burns, deputy director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, served as the guest speaker along with NSWCDD Commanding Officer Capt. Philip Mlynarski who provided the opening remarks.
“We honor our employees who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, not just for their work in support of the Command, but also for the difference they make every day in bringing awareness to issues impacting the lives of other LGBTQ+ individuals,” Mlynarski said.
Burns addressed the crowd at the Dahlgren Theater and others who attended the commemoration virtually, providing anecdotes about his 30-year naval career. Burns revealed to family and friends that he is gay at the age of 28.
Burns stressed during his speech that the U.S. Armed Forces has made strides in accepting service members from various backgrounds and that it should continue moving in that direction to increase military personnel.
“We are a melting pot and that is one of the strongest assets of this country,” Burns said.
Mlynarski also emphasized the need for a diverse workforce, stating that diversity is about more than race, gender and ethnicity.
“It means diversity of thought, ability, background, language, culture and skill,” Mlynarski said. “As we celebrate Pride Month, let us take pride in all who serve our nation.”
Burns cited history detailing that the U.S. military wasn’t always inclusive.
He noted that since the end of World War II and the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2011, approximately 114,000 service members were discharged because of their sexual orientation. The forms of discharge given out prior to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” resulted in consequences that followed LGBTQ+ service members their entire lives.
Some of the repercussions for a dishonorable discharge included a loss of voting rights, unemployment benefits and veteran benefits, such as healthcare, disability and burial rights in a military cemetery, and inability to participate in the GI Bill.
The bipartisan “Restore Honor to Service Members Act” was introduced to Congress nearly a decade ago but has failed to become law. Burns said the bill, which would turn the broad policy that reviews changes to discharges into a settled law, remains a topic of discussion.
The bill would ensure anyone discharged because of their sexual orientation receives a timely, consistent and transparent review of their records and potentially have their discharge upgraded to honorable.
“There is currently a path to upgrade your discharge, so it does exist,” Burns said. “I just think it should be made infinitely easier.”
In Burns’ role with the Naval History and Heritage Command, he is responsible for the execution of the Command’s mission of preserving, acquiring, producing and disseminating history and heritage products and resources.
He also remains a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and believes modifications to policies will eventually come to fruition.
“You can tell these horrific stories [about the past], but there is always the other side of the coin,” he said. “When these things are happening, there are always other voices. There are always rational people pushing for change.”