Fall Trend Report

New York Fashion Week is the mecca of the fashion world bringing the trends for the next season to one place, NYC

The season we are all about is Fall 2013 Ready-to-Wear and there was a since of darkness as … Read More

Air Force Issues New LGBT Guidance to Chaplains

The chaplain’s memo seems to begin and end with a commitment to honoring LGBT service members and their families…yet some of the guidance issued seems to alienate some LGBT couples based on the sole discretion of various endorsing agencies.Read More

Tangled Up In Blue

Denim, an American tradition since the beginning of our culture, built for the rough and tough, giving comfort and structure to the building of our nation. When I hear denim, the Levi’s company is the first one that pops in … Read More

Losing My Past

Explaining the past is difficult for anyone who is transgender. Stories of playing softball for your alma mater become blended with your brother’s experiences playing baseball so you don’t “out” yourself as transgender. Explaining how you busted your knee in high school football becomes a story about playing a powderpuff pick-up game with friends. Read More

#DOMAisDead

Supreme Court rules 1996 law discriminatory and unconstitutional

Washington, DC – In a 5 to 4 decision, the United States Supreme Court today ruled in the case U.S. v. Windsor that part of the so­called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), … Read More

Statement from the Board of Directors to OutServe-SLDN Members, Families, and Supporters

Washington, DC – The OS-SLDN Board and staff are in the process of transforming the organization from primarily a legal services organization into a membership services and advocacy organization. This not only includes revising our business model to operate effectively … Read More

Allyson Robinson’s Statement to OS-SLDN Members, Families and Supporters

This weekend’s events were most unfortunate and deeply troubling for many of us, but for my part, as from the beginning of my tenure with this organization, I am fully and firmly committed to our LGBT service members, veterans, and their families and to their fight for equality. For that reason, and to honor those who’ve shared those values with me, it is my intent to continue to lead OutServe-SLDN in the near term as we approach an historic moment for our community and our country. After that, at a date to be determined, I have decided of my own accord to step down, and will work with our members to ensure an orderly transition to the next phase of this organization’s life. Read More

USS Arlington: A Mission Full of Memories

BY  IT1(SW/AW) Christopher Hooper, OutServe-SLDN Virginia Chapter Leader

For the past 18 months I have been stationed onboard Pre-Commissioning Detachment/Unit USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24). I used to be one of those people who took U.S. Navy ships for granted. Get orders, go to a new command—for the most part it seems simple. However, for me it has not been so simple. Read More

Capital Pride Announces Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith as One of the Grand Marshals of the 2013 Pride Parade

WASHINGTON, DC – Capital Pride is pleased to announce that Brigadier General Tammy S. Smith, United States Army Reserve, will be one of the Capital Pride Parade’s Grand Marshals when it steps off on Saturday, June 8. She joins Lynda Carter, who was announced last week as the Parade’s Super Grand Marshal. Tammy Smith made history in August 2012 when her wife, Tracey Hepner, placed a General’s star on her shoulder. With that simple act, Smith became the first openly gay or lesbian flag officer to serve in the United States military. Her promotion occurred less than one year after the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” Read More

Meet the Evans-Nethers Family

As we move forward in our fight for full equality in our military, it is important to put faces with names and share the stories of the families being affected by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Our military families are important to us all, as they are the backbone of support to the service member serving to ensure our rights and freedom. OutServe Magazine first met Zachary Evans-Nethers when he volunteered to be on our staff. His ability to manage family life, a full-time job, and volunteer for us, all while pursuing a doctoral degree, amazed us! Zachary is a Captain in the U.S. Army and is married to Marshall. They have two beautiful daughters, Taylor, 11, and Emma, 6, and an adorable dog named Marley. We thank you for your dedication and service! Read More

Service to Country, Service to Family

By Capt. Matthew Phelps, USMC

As members of the military know, a single year will often be packed with changes that most civilians can’t begin to imagine. Deployments, transfers, duty assignments, and even colleagues change for us with a regularity that would make the average person’s head spin. We are conditioned to accept change as a constant, and although we can become accustomed to it, our families often bear the burden of keeping the pace. Read More

A New Era. A New Kind of Organization.

This issue of OutServe Magazine comes at an exciting time for our organization. Indeed, we are seeing incredible and unprecedented growth in OutServe-SLDN and in our fight for an inclusive, respectful military that honors the service and sacrifice of all … Read More