USNA Out is an American

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

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 Naval Academy Alumni Association nor the U. S. Naval Academy. USNA Out is the first LGBT organization representing alumni from a federal service 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 ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...

in September, 2009. In November 2009 USNA Out realigned the leadership structure to support the growing membership of over 300. The organization now comprises an unofficial "

affinity group An affinity group is a group formed around a shared interest or common goal, to which individuals formally or informally belong. Affinity groups are generally precluded from being under the aegis of any governmental agency, and their purposes m ...

" among the U. S. Naval Academy Alumni. The organization incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in the State of

in September 2009. On December 22, 2010, USNA Out founding member Commander Zoe Dunning, USNR (Ret.), stood beside President

Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Obama was the first African-American president of the ...

as he signed the

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 (, ) is a landmark United States federal statute enacted in December 2010 that established a process for ending the "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) policy (), thus allowing gay, lesbian, and bisexu ...

Mission

USNA Out provides a path for "reconnection" for the many LGBT 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 models 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 was 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 film A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional motion-picture intended to "document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record". Bill Nichols has characterized the documentary in te ...

by the project title
OUT of ANNAPOLIS
The film produced and directed by

Steve Clark Hall Steve Clark Hall (born November 9, 1953) 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. Early life and education Stev ...

and Joseph Soto opened at the SVA Theater in New York in June, 2010. One of the more revealing facts from the OUT of ANNAPOLIS study was 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.

References

External links

* * * * {{US Navy navbox United States Naval Academy United States military support organizations Sexual orientation and the United States military LGBT political advocacy groups in the United States 2003 establishments in Maryland LGBT in Maryland LGBT military-related organizations Organizations established in 2003

History

Mission

Outreach

See also

References

External links