LGBTQ+ Figures in History: Leonard Matlovich

In 1975, the United States military had a ban on all service personnel who identified as same sex oriented, and in fact, attempted to monitor behaviors of service members in homophobic and grossly bigoted ways to determine whether they were gay. If a soldier was outed or suspected of being homosexual, they were generally discharged despite years and/or admirable deeds of service. Enter: Sergeant Leonard Matlovich, a Vietnam War veteran in the United States Air Force.

After living in the closet his entire life, Sgt. Matlovich declared “I Am a Homosexual” on the cover of TIMES magazine in September of 1975. Why? Because he wanted his declaration to mean something long-term by propelling the military forward and toward fair treatment for all service members. Upon writing his formal statement of homosexuality to his commanding officer, Sgt. Matlovich was discharged from his military duty after 12 years of service, one Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart.

He fought for reinstatement and eventually agreed to settle monetarily with the Air Force. In 1988, he died of AIDS-related complications and was laid to rest with a tombstone of his own design. It reads, “When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.” We can thank Sergeant Leonard Matlovich for his service to our country and his service to bearing his truth so that others may safely do the same.