There’s no question 2020 has been a challenging year. Many lives have been lost due to a global pandemic, and many of us have faced isolation, loneliness, and incredible suffering during this uncertain year.
At MMAA, it has been no different, but our team has been working nonstop to advance fairness and equality for the LGBTQ military and veteran community. And our hard work is making a real difference.
This year we welcomed a new executive director, Jennifer Dane to the team, continued to challenge the discriminatory transgender military ban and outdated policies harming servicemembers living with HIV, and stayed on the front lines in the fight for LGBTQ military equality.
And we did so much more.
Looking back at 2020, here’s just a snapshot of our work:
- Amplified the voices of people of color and the #BlackLivesMatter movement in the fight against systemic racism
- Launched Modern Military Magazine – the voice of the LGBTQ military and veteran community
- Awarded scholarships to 10 incredible military spouses
- Filed briefs with various courts sharing the impact of discrimination on LGBTQ military families
- United alongside other military and veteran service organizations to increase voter participation and protect our right to vote
- Added diverse, new leaders to our board of directors
- Doubled down in the fight against military sexual assault
- Fought to ensure the Department of Defense provides modern diversity training
- Launched our first-ever Pride Month 5k and MMAA’s Got Talent
- Trained more than 100 people with our Rainbow Shield certification training, helping to bridge the gap in LGBTQ cultural competency for military and veteran advocates and service providers
- and most importantly, we gave a voice to the LGBTQ military and veteran community.
We’re proud of our work, and we hope you’ll join us in our fight as we move into the new year. Together, we’ll ensure we continue our march toward fairness and equality.
