Linda Postenrieder USNA ’82 and Steve Clark Hall USNA ’75 were the first two at USNA to learn the news. Chatting with the USAFA AOG CEO William “T” Thompson in Annapolis, Steve asked if he had ever heard of the Blue-Alliance. “T” grinned and said “They are our newest official affinity group at USAFA and they are having their annual event in my building next month.” “T” went on to say that this came after a lumpy beginning involving another outside organization. The Blue-Alliance is the first Academy LGBT Alumni group to be officially recognized by their respective alumni association. BRAVO ZULU Blue-Alliance!
Linda Postenrieder USNA ’82 and Steve Clark Hall USNA ’75 were the first two at USNA to learn the news. Chatting with the USAFA AOG CEO William “T” Thompson in Annapolis, Steve asked if he had ever heard of the Blue-Alliance. “T” grinned and said “They are our newest official affinity group at USAFA and they are having their annual event in my building next month.” “T” went on to say that this came after a lumpy beginning involving another outside organization. The Blue-Alliance is the first Academy LGBT Alumni group to be officially recognized by their respective alumni association. BRAVO ZULU Blue-Alliance!
From Greg Mooneyham, Chair of the Blue-Alliance
Blue Alliance,
To our membership we say Thank You! When it was time to act you acted, and the day after DADT was repealed we gained affinity status. We are now officially an Affinity Group of the AOG, a status held by only a few organizations. Your hard work signing petitions, and donations have all been instrumental in achieving this status at the end of a era.
We have much to celebrate, so we are hosting our second annual dinner on November 5th immediately following the Army Air Force Football game, this time on Academy Grounds at the AOG Doolittle Hall, with the Dean, Assistant Supt and many cadets in attendance. Indeed, we have had a rush of cadet membership applications to Blue Alliance after the repeal of DADT.
As you may recall our mission statement reads “to facilitate peer support, professional networking, and mentorship among LGBT alumni of the US Air Force Academy and promote respect, through education and advocacy, for LGBT individuals at the Air Force Academy, within the Academy’s alumni community, and throughout the entire United States Air Force.” As such, I can think of no greater or more timely opportunity to have a lasting impact in the beginning of a new era than join us for this occasion. With so many cadets and Academy leadership in attendance we will have a great opportunity to build the framework for a stronger cadet outreach, a highly supportive LGBT Cadet sponsorship program, and a lasting mentorship program.
USNA Out members are welcome to join the Blue-Alliance at their annual dinner being held on the Campus at USAFA. For details and to sign-up, visit the Blue-Alliance web site.