Cliff Arnesen and Others Talk About Being Bi+, Gay and an Ally In the Military
Producer/Host: Ed LeMay, Veterans; Alfred D. Dunhamel, Army (Gay); Pepper in the Navy (Ally); Leo Dorington, Army/Reserves, (Gay); Pete Chvany, ROTC/Peace Keepers (Bisexual); Cliff Arnesen, Army, (Bisexual)
ARCHIVES: 1999:“Gays in the Military” video, By Edward LeMay, producer of “Straight Talk” at Massasoit Community College in Brocton. MA.
“The one hour video Includes FIVE members of the former New England GLB Veterans, (1999) Inc. Boston, MA. The video includes two Gay veteran, two Bisexual veterans, and one heterosexual supporter veteran, who tell of their personal stories during service in the U.S. Military.”
Step Up For Mental Health under our Bi+ BSN Project is pleased to receive permission from the producers of this historic video and to share this two-part series of groundbreaking storytelling on LGBTQ people who served in the military.
As a bisexual in the military, there is no distinction in terms of punishment, no refuge in being bisexual. You get the same consequences; you don’t get half a discharge.” — Cliff Arnesen Quote from Lesbian News: October 2001
1965-67, Cliff Arnesen, Bisexual in the U.S. Army, served stateside during the Vietnam War, was imprisoned and placed in segregated confinement for his own protection due to threats made on his life at the time.
Mr. Arnesen held an “Undesirable” based on homosexuality laws, which was changed to the General Under Honorable Conditions. Ten years after service; under President Jimmy Carter’s amnesty program, for which Arnesen petitioned the Department of the Army Review Board, which granted him the General Under Honorable Conditions.
It is even more important today under President Trump and his ant- GLBT administration; and reflects the contributions that Bisexual people have made to the larger Gay movement in the pursuit of “Equality in the Military and within society. — Cliff Arnesen, Bisexual U.S. Army Veteran
This video will be added to the Library of Congress very soon and Step Up For Mental Health is honored to be able to showcase it for you now. Please share it with your networks as we continue to celebrate Bi+ International Visibility Month in September and to support our bi+ community and veterans!
Step Up For Mental Health supports the bisexual community and can help you find resources and services in your area. Please connect with us via our helpline.
Additional Information:
American Veterans for Equal Rights (formerly known as Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of America)
Modern Military Association of America (Merged: American Military Partner Association and OutServe-SLDN)
