Sailors stationed aboard U.S. 6th Fleet's command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), held a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transexual (LGBT) celebration ceremony in Rijeka, Croatia, June 18.

The ceremony, led by the Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee, provided an educational opportunity to assist all personnel in helping to create a culture of inclusion.

Quotes:
"The culmination of diversity and equality is what was exuded in the celebration we had today. It's absolutely phenomenal how far the military has come. I'm proud to be a part of a team that accepts me for who I truly am."
- Master-At-Arms 2nd Class Jordan Reckmann

"As an 18-year LGBT service member, it was a pleasure watching my fellow shipmates celebrate the diversity, struggle, and accomplishments of my predecessors. The personal testimony and historical highlights were both eye-opening and entertaining. Great job to our multicultural committee!"
-Navy Counselor 1st Class Jerry Waggonner

Quick Facts:
President Bill Clinton signed a law instituting the policy commonly referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which allowed gay, lesbian, and bisexual people to serve as long as they did not reveal their sexual orientation.

Ob Sept. 20, 2011, President Barack Obama signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. Under its provisions, restrictions on service by gay, lesbian, and bisexual personnel ended.

This is the third LGBT ceremony held by Mount Whitney personnel.

Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy, is scheduled to be in drydock until mid-summer.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.