Stonewall Columbus Media Contact:
Kathy Crowe
Sr. Coordinator – Communications & Creative Services
KCrowe@StonewallColumbus.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2022 Donald R. Hallman LGBTQ+ Veterans Recognition Recipients Announced
5 Veterans and 1 Partner Recognized
COLUMBUS, OH, November 07, 2022 –This year Stonewall Columbus will recognize 5 veterans and 1 partner/spouse in the organization’s annual LGBTQ+ Veterans Recognition program. “From February 28, 1994 – September 20, 2011 Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was rule; it was discrimination in its purest form and prevented service members from being openly queer without threat of being discharged. For many years, even prior to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell our LGBTQ+ veterans were forced to live closeted lives so that they could work to serve their country—our country” said Stonewall Executive Director Densil Porteous.
In 2014 Stonewall Columbus first announced its celebration of November as LGBTQ+ Veterans Recognition Month in appreciation of those in our LGBTQ+ community who have served so bravely and selflessly.
For many years, our LGBTQ+ veterans were forced to live closeted lives in order to serve their country–often, they were dishonorably forced out of the military because of who they loved or simply because of who they were. Porteous noted that “Not only have LGBTQ+ veterans historically served at home and abroad in many eras and conflicts, they have also risked much to push our country towards the promise of equality. In recent years transgender service members have vacillated between a sense of safety under one Presidential administration over another.”
In 2018 the LGBTQ+ Veterans Recognition program was renamed in honor of Donald R. Hallman – a 2015 recognition recipient.
2022 Stonewall Columbus “Donald R. Hallman LGBTQ+ Veterans Recognition”
Jennifer Serene Henery – OH
Susanne South – OH
Joshua Jacob Hoffman – OH
Joseph Whitaker – CA
Jason T. Guthrie – OH
2022 Stonewall Columbus “Donald R. Hallman LGBTQ+ Veterans Military Spouse Recognition”
Joshua Snyder-Hill – OH
Past Recipients: https://stonewallcolumbus.org/veteransmonth/
2022 Recipients video: https://youtu.be/K0otSgvGAFw
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Stonewall Columbus, an independent 501(c)(3)nonprofit, is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ community organizations in the country; founded in 1981, today Stonewall Columbus’ mission is to increase visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community. Stonewall represents more than 10,000 LGBTQ+ and allied community members in the Central Ohio region. Stonewall provides an array of evolving programs and services to the LGBTQ+ and allied communities supported by community donations, corporate partnerships, and grants. Annual Columbus PRIDE events and march are produced by Stonewall Columbus. Stonewall’s physical home is the Stonewall Columbus Community Center–a community center for all. Stonewall envisions a community where we all THRIVE.
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Mission: increase visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community.
Values: History. Visibility. Inclusion. Connection. Accountability.
