Veterans on the High Seas

I just returned from an amazing trip with Olivia cruising the Hawaiian Islands over Veteran’s Day week and while our appeal was being filed. In my casual conversations around the ship I found that many lesbians are unaware of a policy that significantly affects their specific population. Women in the military comprise only fourteen percent of the military but make up approximately thirty percent of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” discharges. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that math equals a policy that may purposely target women.

I met four fabulous young active duty women that came to Olivia so they could spend some time feeling free and safe from being outed to the military. One of the service members is a linguist and has served for more than eight years. She expressed great worry over losing her job at some point. Numerous women onboard were veterans and shared their stories of being very lonely and isolated from the gay community. As I sat and listened to their struggle to find a space where they fit and how to manage staying in the closet, I remembered the burden I felt. I sincerely hope our court challenge is successful because I think these women, who have truly sacrificed for all of us, deserve to feel as welcomed and safe by Americans and fellow service members as they did with our vacation group.

Olivia did a wonderful job recognizing Veteran’s Day on the ship and made special efforts to thank the women that are currently serving and those that came before them. My hat is off to companies like Olivia that create a space for both young and older lesbians to be in a welcoming, grateful community.

- Stacy Vasquez