Service members from Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) North Island participated in a diversity observance to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month at the command's headquarters onboard Naval Air Station North Island June 29.

The event was attended by more than 100 CNATTU North Island staff and students and featured two speakers, Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Juan Hernandez and Cmdr. Robert Carpenter.

Hernandez, a helicopter intermediate maintenance instructor, reflected on his 14-year Navy career and the changing policies he has experienced.

"I never imagined a day when I could marry a man, my true love," said Hernandez. "Now I have the ability to talk openly about what is going on in my life without fear for my career."

Hernandez spoke on some of the difficulties LGBT service members have faced, recalling when the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy was enforced and the fear he felt in talking about his personal life.

Celebrated in June and initially established as Gay and Lesbian Month by Presidential Proclamation in 2000, LGBT Pride Month is designed to recognize the accomplishments of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The 2011 repeal of the DADT policy allowed LGBT service members to openly serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Carpenter, the senior medical officer aboard USS Essex (LHD 2), spoke on the difficulties LGBT service members have faced, informing the crowd that he didn't attend a Navy Ball until 2011, nearly 11 years after he was commissioned in the Navy.

"The last line of the Sailor's Creed reads 'I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all,'" said Carpenter. "That's not just for race or religion, but for truly everyone."

Carpenter encouraged the audience to continue maintaining a positive attitude toward LGBT service members

CNATTU North Island Commanding Officer Cmdr. Kenneth Sanchez said the event served to reinforce the diversity his command strives to employ.

"We all need to understand and honor our diversity," said Sanchez. "The changes which have become part of the United States Armed Forces, as we know it today, are the result of years of inequalities and differences based on sex, sexual orientation and race, to name a few. We have moved beyond all of this and diversity observances reinforce who we are as a Navy."

CNATTU North Island is one of 28 training units under the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT). CNATT develops, delivers and supports aviation technical training under Naval Education and Training Command.


For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, visit www.navy.mil/.