This special magazine issue was created as part if the DC Mayor's Office's Black LGBTQIA+ History Preservation Grant. Modern Military is participating in conjunction with three other grantees: the Center for Black Equity, Rainbow History Project, and Octane Public Relations and Advertising.
A letter from the Modern Military
We are profoundly honored to contribute to this special edition magazine through the DC Mayor’s LGBTQIA+ Black History Grant initiative. Washington, D.C. is not only the heart of our nation, but also home to a unique blend of communities shaped by the military experience. With its many military bases, federal agencies, and government institutions often staffed by veterans, DC holds an especially rich and layered history where the military and civic duty intersect.
Among these intersecting stories is a community that has often gone unseen: Black, queer service members and veterans. These experiences embody both the challenges and the triumphs of living at the crossroads of multiple identities — navigating the realities of racism, homophobia, and transphobia, while also serving in institutions where authenticity and visibility have historically been constrained.
Modern Military and Partners at World Pride, DC 2025
In this moment, when erasure of LGBTQ+ and Black histories is happening across the country, it is more important than ever to document, preserve, and share these voices. If we do not tell these stories, we risk losing them to time, silencing those who already had to fight simply to be heard. We believe that capturing these narratives now provides a powerful legacy for both the present and the future.
For today’s service members and veterans — especially those who are Black and queer — reading the journeys of those who came before can provide solace, affirmation, and strength. Seeing the struggles that others have endured, the barriers they have broken, and the lives they have built both because and in spite of their military service allows the next generation to know they are not alone. These stories serve as beacons of resilience, showing that despite obstacles, it is possible to stand up to injustice, to advocate for equality, and to continue the good fight.
Modern Military Association of America is proud to have played a role in lifting up this vital and often overlooked part of our shared history. We are grateful to the storytellers who have entrusted us with their truth, and we recognize the courage it takes to share one’s lived experience in a world that too often refuses to see it. These voices will carry forward, inspiring change and empowering others to live authentically, serve honorably, and thrive boldly.
With deep respect and gratitude,
Modern Military Association of America
Disclaimer: The thoughts, stories, and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the individual storytellers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Modern Military Association of America.
