Tammy Smith Becomes First Lesbian General Officer


Former Army colonel Tammy Smith has been promoted to brigadier general, making her the first general officer to come out while serving.


"Tammy Smith received her stars from her wife Tracey Hepner in a private ceremony at the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.

According to Stars and Stripes, Smith, 49, has been assigned as deputy chief at the Office of the Chief at the Army Reserve. Before "don't ask, don't tell" was repealed, she told the military newspaper last year that she was not planning on coming out to her colleagues, but would be relieved when she and Hepner would be able to go out together without worrying about being outed.

Now, Hepner said she is still focused on serving the Army, but the last year has allowed a major life change for them.

'"The support we’ve received has been amazing," Smith said. "I wasn’t surprised that people were so accepting, but in some cases it has been even celebratory. It’s like nothing has really changed for us, and yet everything has changed.'"

See what the end of DADT has done? Qualified military personnel who just happen to be gay are being promoted and can freely speak about their lives without fear of losing their livelihoods. Hardly the social engineering apocalypse some folks were predicting.

Read the the rest HERE

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