GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (June 30, 2015) - The George C. Marshall
European Center for Security Studies' Equal Opportunity Diversity Observances Committee and the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria -- Garmisch Community celebrate the Department of Defense's first Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month observance with a color run/walk June 26 at the softball fields on Artillery Kaserne.
"The purpose for this event is to spread the awareness that every person deserves to be treated equally, said Ben Reed, Marshall Center's U.S. deputy director, who delivered the keynote address at the DoD's first LGBT Pride Month observance event held here. "We hope through this event, we have made an impact on human diversity and equality."
About 40 military, staff, faculty and family members ran, walked or doused those athletes with color powder, made of corn starch and food coloring. The color run/walk symbolizes the rainbow flag used throughout the LGBT Community.
"Our committee worked hard to make this first color run possible. I think it was a lot of fun and was made more evident since the Supreme Court ruling to make same sex marriages legal in all 50 states happened the same day," said Brittany Parker Riebold, Marshall Center's Equal Opportunity Diversity Observances Committee chairman, who organized this event. "I know many people said they'd like to participate next year."
Theme for this first DOD observance of LGBT Pride Month was Celebrating Victories that have affirmed Freedom & Fairness.
"During Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, we celebrate the proud legacy LGBT individuals have woven into the fabric of our Nation, we honor those who have fought to perfect our Union, and we continue our work to build a society where every child grows up knowing that their country supports them, is proud of them, and has a place for them exactly as they are," from President Barack Obama's Presidential Proclamation in May 2015.
The USAG Bavaria - Garmisch Community provides programs and services for customers in Southern Bavaria. It supports the Marshall Center and Armed Forces Recreation Center on Sheridan Kaserne, and the NATO School in nearby Oberammergau.
The mission of the Marshall Center, as a vital instrument of German-American cooperation, is to create a more stable security environment by advancing democratic institutions and relationships; promoting active, peaceful, whole-of-government approaches to address transnational and regional security challenges; and creating and enhancing enduring partnerships worldwide.
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