Today, appropriately enough at 11:00 AM, a large crowd gathered at Congressional Cemetery for the unveiling of Frank Kameny’s gravestone. (all pictures by RSP)
Kameny was one of the first veterans to work for acceptance of gays in the military. It was his life’s work.
One of his most famous allies was Leonard Matlovich, who was the first soldier to out himself, and then fight his discharge. Kameny’s grave is directly behind and to the left of Matlovich’s, which has become an important stop on the Congressional Cemetery tour – and the the focus of Gay Corner. Here, Michael Bedwell, who was in charge of the ceremony, leaves a copy of the Time magazine featuring Matlovich on its cover. Matlovich’s fight against the military made him one of the most famous gays in the 1970s.
A soldier leaves his sword as a mark of respect.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of Kameny’s friends and allies, and the keynote was given by Gordon O. Tanner, Chief Council of the Air Force.
Kameny died just after Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was repealed and gays could begin serving openly in the military. Nonetheless, it took four years for the military to give him the tombstone he deserved for having served during the Second World War.
Wreath laying at the Matlovich grave.
Tanner and Paul Williams, of Congressional Cemetery, unveil the Kameny grave marker.
Paul Kuntzler and Rick Rosendall lay a wreath at the Kameny grave.
Taps