Post by Austin (Reid) Albanese

"We were everywhere, we just didn't have the luxury to know that." As we approach the Fourth of July and reflect on the 250th anniversary of the United States, I’m honored to help tell the stories of LGBTQ+ veterans whose experiences have too often gone unrecorded. Reporting this piece for the Rochester Beacon reminded me that history is preserved not only through archives and academic institutions, but through conversations, trust, and the willingness of people to share their lives. My sincere thanks to Bill Gierchak, Jaime Arena, Jovana Babović, Mel Porter, and everyone involved with the Queer Veterans Project for trusting me to help tell these stories. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it. https://lnkd.in/gRFMMmvD