Fort Benning celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month

By Alexander GagoJune 21, 2022

Fort Benning celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month
U.S. Army Col. Antwan L. Dunmyer, brigade commander, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade, (left) spoke to attendees during the LGBTQ Pride Month event at McGinnis-Wickham Hall, Marshall Auditorium, Fort Benning, Ga., June 15. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Alexander Gago) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING GA. - The Maneuver Center of Excellence celebrated LGBTQ Pride Month June 15 with an observance event at McGinnis-Wickham Hall, Fort Benning, Ga., to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a historic tipping point within the LGBTQ movement.

Pride month is a time to come together to honor the contributions of the LGBTQ service members, said Col. Antwan L. Dunmyer, brigade commander, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade.

Fort Benning celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month
U.S. Navy Adm. Rachel L. Levine, M.D., Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, participated in a virtual video highlight during the LGBTQ Pride Month event at McGinnis-Wickham Hall, Marshall Auditorium, Fort Benning, Ga., June 15. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Alexander Gago) VIEW ORIGINAL

“During the month of June, our Army commemorates the legacy of those who identify with the LGBTQ community and thank them for their dedicated service to the Army mission and to our nation,” said Dunmyer. “Our brothers and sister in arms have served with distinction and have fought bravely in defense of our great nation for many years − sometimes on the battlefield, other times on the homeland for equal rights. Today’s ceremony serves as an opportunity for us to honor them, and at the same time learn from them.”

Guest panelists for the event included retired Sgt. Maj. Robert L. Code, Staff Sgt. Rylee J. McMillin, Staff Sgt. Damien Fraser, Col. Ethan L. Miles, and Lt. Col. Bree B. Fram.

The panelists answered questions from the event moderator, Dr. JoEllen M. Sefton, Ph.D., director, NuRLlab, Auburn Warrior Research Center, and from audience members.

Fort Benning celebrates LGBTQ Pride Month
The Maneuver Center of Excellence hosted the LGBTQ Pride Month event at McGinnis-Wickham Hall, Marshall Auditorium, Fort Benning, Ga., on June 15. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Alexander Gago) VIEW ORIGINAL

Code highlighted the importance of the Army in embracing diversity and inclusion.

“I think it was a very impactful event because we had both the commanding general and command sergeant major of MCoE here along with other senior leaders who can now message this back to their subordinate elements while continuing to grow their organizations, remaining culturally diverse, accepting, and inclusive. All in all, it was a great event,” said Code.