Brigadier General Tammy Smith is the first openly gay flag-grade officer in the US Military. At this rank, she’ll have thousands of service members quite literally looking up to her.
The private ceremony included a twist on an old military tradition. Brig. Gen. Smith’s spouse ‘pinned’ her. In other words, her wife slapped the new rank onto her uniform for the first time.
CNN has the story:
Smith received her stars in a private ceremony at the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, according to a press release from the Service Members Legal Defense Network, an organization promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in the U.S. military.
Friday was also the first day she publicly acknowledged her sexuality, according to a report from Stars and Stripes, and that acknowledgement comes less than a year after the military ended the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy under which an active-duty service member faced punishment or discharge if he or she admitted being homosexual.
“I don’t think I need to be focused on that,” Stripes quoted Smith as saying. “What is relevant is upholding Army values and the responsibility this carries.”
Modesty aside, I’m sure she knows just how important this was. Not just for her, but for countless other LGBT service members. Less than a year ago she would have lost her job altogether. Now, she’s open about it – though it’s likely she wanted to avoid the appearance of making ‘political statements’.
I wonder how her command chaplains are going to react. Some chaplains have been quite receptive to the repeal of DADT. Congratulations on the promotion, Ma’am. Thank you for setting the example for countless others.
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11 comments
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raethfall
August 12, 2012 at 10:07 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awesome! That is all.
Aliasalpha
August 12, 2012 at 11:19 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
OMGWTFBBQ TEH GHEY IZ TAKING OVER, THINK OF THE CHILDRENZ & THE JEZUZ!!!!111 etc…
Fantastic stuff, congratulations to her
MarkNS
August 12, 2012 at 11:29 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Welcome to the late 20th century, American military.
C Rowan
August 12, 2012 at 2:15 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This is excellent news. I look forward to when DOMA is repealed and Brig. Gen. Smith’s marriage will be given the same respect and protection as heterosexual military members.
BCat70
August 12, 2012 at 5:09 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Any Pics of the pinning?
BCat70
August 12, 2012 at 5:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Also, Congratulations!
steve84
August 12, 2012 at 5:24 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=423017117744062&set=a.153121748066935.28964.121328354579608&type=1
Justin Griffith
August 12, 2012 at 6:37 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awesome. Good find. OutServe clearly has been doing some important work for years.
larianlequella
August 12, 2012 at 8:12 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I can’t wait for the day when this is no big deal at all. Until then, congratulations ma’am.
M Groesbeck
August 12, 2012 at 10:39 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
OK, so after grad school I’m going to have to join Army Medical or the USPHSCC so that I’ll be able to properly salute BG (for now) Smith.
steve B
August 13, 2012 at 12:26 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Lead the way BG Smith, Hooah!