USNA Out
Encyclopedia
USNA Out is an American non-profit organization
of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Alumni of the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. USNA Out is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that does not represent the U. S. Naval Academy Alumni Association nor the U. S. Naval Academy.
The organization continued to increase membership and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in the State of Maryland
in September, 2009. In November 2009 USNA Out realigned the leadership structure to support the growing membership of over 200. The organization now comprises an unofficial "affinity group
" among the U. S. Naval Academy Alumni. The organization incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in the State of Maryland
in September 2009.
On December 22, 2010, USNA Out founding member Commander Zoe Dunning
, USNR (Ret.), stood beside President Barack Obama
as he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010
.
for current Midshipmen, parents and family of midshipmen and for other alumni serving in the fleet.
Although many USNA Out members worked to end to the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, political activism is not within the mission of the organization.
by the project title, OUT of ANNAPOLIS. The film produced and directed by Steve Clark Hall
opened at the SVA
Theater in New York in June, 2010.
One of the more revealing facts from the OUT of ANNAPOLIS study was the that only one in six of those who enter the academy identify as LGBT at the time they enter. The remaining 83% re-identify as LGBT while at the academy, in the fleet, or as civilians after completion of their service.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Alumni of the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. USNA Out is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that does not represent the U. S. Naval Academy Alumni Association nor the U. S. Naval Academy.
History
The group was initially formed in 2003 when 32 LGBT alumni of the Naval Academy petitioned the USNA Alumni Association for special status as a non-geographic chapter of the Alumni Association, similar to the special status of the association's RV chapter. The initial request was rejected on multiple grounds.The organization continued to increase membership and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in the State of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
in September, 2009. In November 2009 USNA Out realigned the leadership structure to support the growing membership of over 200. The organization now comprises an unofficial "affinity group
Affinity group
An Affinity group is usually a small group of activists who work together on direct action.Affinity groups are organized in a non-hierarchical manner, usually using consensus decision making, and are often made up of trusted friends...
" among the U. S. Naval Academy Alumni. The organization incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in the State of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
in September 2009.
On December 22, 2010, USNA Out founding member Commander Zoe Dunning
Zoe Dunning
Maria Zoe Dunning is a U. S. Naval Academy graduate and gay rights activist. She is the first and only openly gay person allowed to remain on active duty in the military prior to the end of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.-Biography:...
, USNR (Ret.), stood beside President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
as he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010
The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 is a landmark federal statute that establishes a legal process for ending the Don't ask, don't tell policy , which since 1993 prevented openly gay and lesbian people from serving in the United States Armed Forces.The Act did not immediately repeal the...
.
Mission
USNA Out provides a path for "reconnection" for the many GLBT USNA alumni who have over time been disassociated from the U. S. Naval Academy and the USNA Alumni Association because of their sexuality or gender identity. By maintaining visibility, the members of the organization become role modelsRole Models
Role Models is a 2008 American comedy film directed by David Wain about two energy drink salesmen who are ordered to perform 150 hours of community service as punishment for various offenses. For their service, the two men work at a program designed to pair kids with adult role models. The film...
for current Midshipmen, parents and family of midshipmen and for other alumni serving in the fleet.
Although many USNA Out members worked to end to the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, political activism is not within the mission of the organization.
Outreach
In 2007, USNA Out began the "OUT of ANNAPOLIS Project" with a goal of putting human faces and personalities to the LGBT alumni. The project included a detailed study of the alumni to establish who the alumni were as a group. It also included online profiles numerous alumni for the purpose of becoming "role models" for current midshipmen at the academy and junior officers in the fleet. In June, 2008, the OUT of ANNAPOLIS Project expanded to include a documentary filmDocumentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
by the project title, OUT of ANNAPOLIS. The film produced and directed by Steve Clark Hall
Steve Clark Hall
Commander Steve Clark Hall is a retired United States Navy submarine officer and documentary film maker. He is the first openly gay senior U. S. Navy officer who is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.-Biography:...
opened at the SVA
School of Visual Arts
The School of Visual Arts , is a proprietary art school located in Manhattan, New York City, and is widely considered to be one of the leading art schools in the United States. It was established in 1947 by co-founders Silas H. Rhodes and Burne Hogarth as the Cartoonists and Illustrators School and...
Theater in New York in June, 2010.
One of the more revealing facts from the OUT of ANNAPOLIS study was the that only one in six of those who enter the academy identify as LGBT at the time they enter. The remaining 83% re-identify as LGBT while at the academy, in the fleet, or as civilians after completion of their service.
See also
- U.S. Naval Academy
- Knights OutKnights OutKnights Out is an organization of West Point alumni, staff and faculty who support the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to serve openly in the U.S. military and who wish to educate young officers about the issues and contributions of LGBT troops...
- Blue AllianceBlue AllianceThe Blue Alliance is an American non-profit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Alumni of the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado...
- Zoe DunningZoe DunningMaria Zoe Dunning is a U. S. Naval Academy graduate and gay rights activist. She is the first and only openly gay person allowed to remain on active duty in the military prior to the end of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.-Biography:...
- Joseph SteffanJoseph SteffanJoseph Steffan is an American lawyer and gay activist. He was expelled from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1987 after revealing his homosexuality to his commanding officer. At the time he was six weeks from graduation and one of the six highest-ranking midshipmen in the Academy...
- Vernon E "Copy" Berg, III
- Sexual orientation and the United States military