With over 200 anti-LGBTQIA bills introduced in 2022 across our country, many Americans are feeling overwhelmed, saddened, and scared, but we refuse to go down without a fight. The MMAA team worked tirelessly in 2022 to stand up for LGBTQIA service members, military families, and veterans.
To give our community a peek into our advocacy work — and to remind everyone there is still good news out there — we wanted to share some of our accomplishments in 2022. We put together a long list in a brand new blog post, but here are a few of the highlights:
- Our CEO Jennifer Dane was named among The Mighty 25.
- Our Editorial Director, Emily Starbuck Gerson, won a national journalism award for her cover story for an MMAA magazine issue (published the prior year).
- We finally had our first official MMAA gala after pandemic delays! It was a huge success with major speakers, including Hon. Gina Ortiz-Jones (pictured below at the gala) and Hon. Shawn Skelly.
- MMAA held the first LGBTQ-focused diversity training at the Virginia Military Institute.
- Our team assisted over 100 veterans in the process of correcting their records from being discharged before or during Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
- We brought on a full-time Director of MilPride, Cathy Marcello (pictured below, right, with Editorial Director Emily Starbuck Gerson, left), thanks to the Hiring our Heroes Fellowship in their Military Spouse Employment Program. As a military spouse and mom of a trans teen, Cathy has already assisted over 20 MilPride families.
- Our MilPride program partnered with PFLAG to create the monthly virtual support group PFLAG Connects: Military Communities Meeting with MMAA. The first meeting had the most sign-ups in PFLAG Connects history!
- Our team participated in over 10 webinars, conferences, or events to create visibility for MMAA/MilPride.
- MMAA, IAVA, and SPARTA’s Lobby Day on Capitol Hill (pictured below) was a great success, with over 40 meetings held and copies of our magazine left all over the building.
- MMAA had a booth and marched at DC’s Capital Pride (and we’re already planning for 2023!)
- Jennifer was invited to The White House many times in 2022, not just for social or LGBTQ+ events like the one for Pride Month, but also for the signing of important legislation such as The PACT Act and announcement of healthcare changes (she's pictured below with President Biden at one such event).
Make sure to read the full blog post on our website for even more highlights from 2022. MMAA’s small but mighty team, our supporters, and fellow advocates have a lot to be proud of.
We continue to be dedicated to our mission as we kick off big plans for 2023, and we’re grateful for your continued support. Onward and upward!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Dane, CEO and Executive Director, and the MMAA team
