Graduating from the United States Air Force Academy after nine years of service, Reichen Lehmkuhl describes his experience as a gay man in the military in his new book called Here’s What We’ll Say.
An audience of about 70 gathered in the Native American Center Monday night to listen to Lehmkuhl’s stories about falling in love, getting beat up and learning how to fly. The event was in honor of National Coming Out Day, and was sponsored by the Queer Resource Center and the Student Veterans Association.
Accomplished as a captain in the Air Force, entrepreneur, model, flight instructor and host of his own show, Lehmkuhl is touring the country gathering support for a new bill that will help assist those who are discharged from the military for being gay.
After an intense moment with a fellow cadet, Lehmkuhl “came out” while serving, but kept quiet in light of the academy’s contradictory and oppressive “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Keeping his sexuality secret yielded a strong ambition to change things for future cadets.
“If a cadet is suspected to be gay he is pulled out of bed in the middle of the night and taken to a mental evaluation,” Lehmkuhl said. Following the evaluation, the cadet is put into holding until his trial begins.
His “crimes” are then broadcast to family and friends and he is discharged from service—essentially being humiliated and forced to come out of the closet.
With the help of United States Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Lehmkuhl is drafting a bill asking for monetary reparation for gays who are kicked out of the military.
This bill is to help compensate victims of trauma and human rights abuses.
“I want to bring this idea to everyone. I think it’s fair,” Lehmkuhl said.
Here’s What We’ll Say is dedicated to Lehmkuhl’s grandmother, who was part of the Women Air Force Service Pilots during World War II. She taught Lehmkhul how to fly when he was 13 years old.