the organization of LGBT Naval Academy Alumni & Allies
Photo Above: USNA Out members Eric Shangle ’97,
Lee Ingleright ’97, Jeff Petrie ’89
Joe Soto ’83, and Steve Clark Hall ’75
at the SAGALA Army Navy Tailgater
Army-Navy Weekend 2008 will go down in military history as one of The Best Ever!
USNA Out members were joined by our fellow Alumni, friends and families from West Point, New London and Kings Point for a long weekend of festivities surrounding the Army-Navy game in Philadelphia.
Top photo: USNA Out members Jeff Petrie ’89
Joe Soto ’83 & Eric Shangle ’97
with SUPT VADM Fowler
USNA Alumni Assn photo by Debbie Latta
Four members of USNA Out — Steve Clark Hall ’75, Joe Soto ’83, Eric Shangle ’97 and Jeff Petrie ’89, attended the USNA Foundation’s 2008 President’s Circle Weekend in Annapolis. In addition to an awesome comeback win by Navy over Temple in football, all four attendees agreed that we had a truly successful weekend and a great time!
This was the third straight year in which USNA Out Members attended the President’s Circle Weekend events. Eric Shangle ’97 and his classmate Thomas were the only two attendees who had graduated in the past 15 years. Because of our relative youth among the participants, USNA Out members stood “OUT” in the crowd.
The events of the weekend serve to recognize and thank major donors the the USNA Foundation. The ambitious schedule included business meetings, cocktail receptions, tours of facilities, the final Fall Formal Dress Parade, and a delightful “Halloween Concert” in the chapel featuring the Naval Academy choruses performing to the accompaniment of the mighty M.P. Möller pipe organ.
All USNA Out members who have the financial resources to join the USNA Foundation’s President’s Circle are strongly encouraged to do so. By attending events such as the President’s Circle Weekend, we demonstrate that our commitment to excellence at the academy is as strong as (or stronger than) that of our contemporaries. And by doing so, we put a very positive face on who we really are here at USNA Out.
It’s a go! “Out Of Annapolis” will begin filming in November 2008. Leave it to a group of Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bisexual US Naval Academy alumni to put together a major team effort for producing a documentary film. The production staff will consist entirely of USNA Alumni and their partners.
How about a little motivation to stay in shape throughout the summer? USNA Out is recruiting you to run in the Annapolis 10 Miler at the end of August. If you are not a runner, then come out and be a cheerleader or a tailgate host. Jeff has already promised cosmos at the finish!
Check out the info page at: http://annapolisstriders.org/A10Info2008.htm (The finishers jacket is worth the price of running 10 miles)
Barb has looked into getting “USNA Out” micro fiber shirts printed for the event. Cost will depend on the quantity ordered but will be $20 or less. Even if you are not running or cheering and would like a shirt, let her know.
Continue reading “USNA Out at the Annapolis 10 Miler – August 24th”
In early May 2008 the Naval Academy hosted its 10th Annual Admissions Outreach Conference. The title of this year’s event was, “Diversity: Built on a Solid Foundation, Forging a Stronger Future.” Disappointingly, still today gay and lesbian midshipmen are forced to compromise their honor and integrity on a daily basis — as required by the military’s embarrassing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy — and create a heterosexual facade lest their truth be discovered, resulting in shameful separation from USNA. No one at the Academy dares to take a leadership role in changing the outdated policy that is an embarrassment to our nation. In the past, Academy leaders have pretended that we do not exist within the Brigade of Midshipmen. In the hopes of bringing a mature perspective to a childish personnel policy, two of us USNA Out members attended the Admissions Outreach Conference. What follows is our account of how the two days unfolded:
Continue reading “Naval Academy Admissions Outreach Conference”
Left Coast – Paul Culver ’74,
Linda Postenrieder ’82, Jeff Petrie ’89 (seated)
Steve Clark Hall ’75, Eric Shangle ’97,
Greer Pucket ’75, Joe Soto ’83
The second USNA Out “National Meeting” was held on Army-Navy Friday, 30 November 2007 in Memorial Hall. Seven alumni were able to attend the a second “Left Coast Edition” of the national meeting held in San Francisco on Sunday, 16 December.
Continue reading “Second USNA Out “National Meeting” held in Annapolis & San Francisco”
Photo above: Joe Soto ’83 with some of the Midshipmen
attending the Superintendent’s Garden Party.
USNA Out members Joe Soto ’83 and Steve Clark Hall ’75 attended the USNA President’s Circle Weekend events in Annapolis. This is the second President’s Circle weekend where representatives from USNA Out have attended.The three day event hosted by the USNA Foundation was held in Annapolis.
The U.S. Naval Academy Foundation welcomes the opportunity each year to celebrate and recognize the contributions of its leading donors. President’s Circle Weekend is just one way in which the Academy has the privilege of saying “thank you.”
The event gave USNA Out members an opportunity to meet and mingle with others whose commitment to the U.S. Naval Academy is proven by their generosity. Along with hearing about the state of the Academy from the Superintendent and his leadership staff, there was a packed weekend agenda of festivities.
All USNA Out members who have the financial resources to become a member of the USNA Foundation President’s Circle are strongly encouraged to do so. By attending events such as the President’s Circle weekend, we demonstrate that our commitment to excellence at the academy is as strong as our contemporaries. And by doing so, we put a very positive face on who we really are here at USNA Out.
Several USNA Out Members attended the LGBT Historical Society 2007 Gala. Zoe Dunning ’85 accepted the “Walker Award” on behalf of the Service Members Legal Defense Network (SLDN).
Photo: Zoe Dunning ’85, ??, Jeff Petrie ’89
Greer Puckett’75 and Steve Clark Hall ’75
Photo above: Jim(r) with partner
The mission of the U. S. Naval Academy includes providing graduates who in mind and character can assume the highest responsibilities of citizenship and government. USNA Out Member Jim Maguire (on right in photo to left) has been fulfilling this role in Oregon as he fights for equal rights.
Continue reading “USNA Out Member Leads Fight to Maintain Rights in Oregon”
Steve Clark Hall ’75, Jeff Petrie ’89,
Paul Culver ’74, Dr. Steve Estes (curator),
Greer Pucket ’75, a zoomie & a whoopoo
USNA Out and friends from other service academies gathered at the GLBT History Museum in San Francisco for the opening of “Out Ranks” – the first exhibit in the country to focus on the experiences of GLBT veterans and American military policy on homosexuality.
Tom Carpenter ’70, Linda Postenrieder ’82
Zoe Dunning ’85, Steve Clark Hall ’75,
and Jeff Petrie ’89
USNA Out members gathered with our friends from other service academies at the Retirement of the USNA Out Vice President Commander Zoe Dunning ’85.
Continue reading “USNA Out for CDR Zoe Dunning’s Retirement”
Photo above: The East Coast Crowd
USNA Out members gathered with our SAGALA counterparts on both coasts to cheer on the Blue from the Brigade of Midshipmen as they took the lead 51-50 in the Army-Navy rivalry. Go Navy!
Twenty seven members of USNA Out personally cheered on the Brigade of Midshipmen in an advertisement submitted to SHIPMATE MAGAZINE.