In honor of Pride Month, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and SAGEVets will host a virtual conversation about the experiences and challenges of LGBTQ service members on June 29, 12-1pm.

The Intrepid Museum’s Curator of History, Jessica Williams, SAGEVets Program Manager, Ashton Stewart, and Petty Officer Second Class La Wanda Mobley, U.S. Navy, will discuss experiences of LGBTQ service members, the importance of sharing LGBTQ veterans’ stories, and the obstacles they face to collect and share these stories.

Petty Officer Second Class Mobley served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Desert Storm from 1985-1997, prior to and during “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (1993-2011). Following a promotion to Petty Officer First Class, she was the victim of harassment and unfortunate incidents that ultimately led to an Other Than Honorable Discharge. She has been diagnosed with and is receiving treatment for PTSD at the Hudson Valley Health Care System VA Medical Center. She now volunteers with the City of Middletown Drug Court helping veterans with their ongoing recovery and complete abstinence from drugs. She is an advocate for veterans mental health and LGBTQ veterans.

SAGEVets is currently preserving an archive that tells the story of LGBTQ veterans who served from pre-Don’t Ask Don’t Tell to 2011. Ashton Stewart will be sharing some highlights from the archive and the steps SAGEVets is taking to preserve it.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is committed to telling the stories of the crew members who served on the aircraft carrier Intrepid and the submarine Growler. Jessica Williams will share efforts to collect and interpret previously untold stories.

This program will be conducted over Zoom and is free with advance registration. Click here to register.