Two Decades in the Closet: Military Service Before Obama

From 1981 to 1999. she lived in constant fear of being outed, knowing that discovery could end her career in an instant. In honor of Veteran's Day, Monica Skarban returns to the podcast to share her personal story of serving in the U.S. Air Force as a closeted gay woman. She watched firsthand as friends were dishonorably discharged after being exposed. Despite serving with dedication as a nurse across the globe, from Germany to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War, she was forced to hide her true identity. Monica recounts the pain of living under "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" and how the threat of being found out hung over every relationship. Monica’s story is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices so many were forced to make in silence.