Remembering Leonard Matlovich, the gay vet who fought against homophobia in the US military… in 1975
Time magazine on September 8, 1975. Dressed in uniform, large letters quoted Matlovich saying “I am a homosexual”. The ensuing article looked at the fledgling gay rights movement and calls for rights for gay people.Matlovich was born at Hunter Air Force Base in Savannah, Georgia, in 1943.
He was the only son of retired Air Force sergeant, Leonard Matlovich, and his wife Vera.Following in his father’s footsteps, Matlovich joined the Air Force at the age of 19 and undertook three tours in Vietnam.
He was seriously wounded when he stepped on a landmine. He earned a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for heroic achievement.Stationed back in Florida, he began to frequent local gay bars in Pensacola.
He first slept with another man when he was 30 years old.A post shared by Collins Aerospace (@collinsaerospace)Matlovich began to come out to close friends.
