Not Your Average Leonard: A Tale of Being Openly Gay in the US Air Force

On May 26, 1975, The New York Times published an article titled “Homosexual is Fighting Military Ouster.”  According to journalist Lesley Oelsner, T. Sgt. Leonard Matlovich was being expelled from the United States Air Force based on his sexual orientation, despite being highly decorated and promoted, earning medals in each of his three tours in Vietnam.  Not only was T. Sgt. Matlovich being discharged, it was to be a “general discharge,” not quite dishonorable, but certainly not honorable, as was the directive set forth in 1950 by President Harry S. Truman.  

Oelsner reports that while there are “as many homosexuals in the military as in civilian life,” it is not only against Armed Forces guidelines for homosexuals to join, but also for members to engage in homosexual activities.  Matlovich enlisted despite having been raised in a military family and believing during his youth that his sexual preference was “terrible and degrading.”  It was only after attending race relations classes that Matlovich began considering the theory that like people of color, homosexuals were being discriminated against in the same manner.  He finally decided to come out to his friends, reach out to a member of the Mattachine Society, Dr. Frank Kameny, and finally, to come out to his commanding officer.  Matlovich is quoted as wanting to be a “’spark’” to benefit others in the same situation. 

According to the timeline below, President Truman was responsible for signing the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 1950, which outlined discharge procedures for homosexuals.  Truman’s assertions were upheld in 1982 in a directive from President Ronald Regan, followed a decade later by the implementation of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” by the Clinton administration.  In 2010 the DADT initiative is rescinded, giving way to almost two decades old prohibition of homosexuals in the military.  

Don't Ask, Don't Tell - A Timeline

Additional Sources:

By LESLEY OELSNER Special to The New,York Times. "Homosexual is Fighting Military Ouster." New York Times (1923-Current File), May 26, 1975. http://ezproxy.libraries.wright.edu:2048/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.libraries.wright.edu/docview/120402320?accountid=15141.