New Social Media Network Brings Gay Troops Together

A new social networking site seeks to connect active duty LGBT servicemembers, veterans and their supporters around the world.

OutMilitary.com provides a supportive environment for "friending," sharing and networking between active duty military, vets and supporters-around the world.

There is a tradition that runs deep in military culture; when a service member from one nation meets another, you exchange something. In the 10 years that I served-most of them were at duty stations overseas-I traded a Navy belt buckle for Russian Navy belt buckle. I traded my enlisted rank patch for an equivalent Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force patch while stationed in Japan. And while in Italy with NATO, I swapped my cover (or hat as it's known to civilians) for a carabinieri's hat. Men and women who serve their countries are quick to tell you that they do not need to speak the same language as their foreign counterparts to relate to them-and even develop a bond with them.

OutMilitary.com acts in such a way-only instead of exchanging uniform items; members are able to relay stories, become friends and even find other LGBT service members, veterans or supporters in their area. "The site is similar to popular networks with regards to functionality and usability," OutMilitary.com creator John McKinnon told EDGE. "OutMilitary.com provides a supportive ecosystem to find friends, plan events, share photos and post in forums."

OutMilitary.com is a "walled garden". Members are encouraged to design their profile page to specifically fit their personality by adding photos, video and text. In addition, members can connect one on one in chat rooms. OutMilitary.com is also a source for news and updates on an array of topics tailored for the military community. Members can blog, chat, and connect with one another in a supportive environment.

In short, OutMilitary.com has become the go-to place for the nearly 65,000 active duty gay servicemen and women and an estimated 1 million LGBT veterans. Although just four-months old, OutMilitary.com has seen tremendous growth-thousands of members of Asian and South American forces have joined the site in recent weeks.

"I am excited albeit a bit surprised at the number of international members that are joining," McKinnon told EDGE. "In particular, OutMilitary seems to have hit the nerve center of the young gay Asian population. We are grateful to all of our members around the world."

McKinnon said he thinks the site continues to grow for two reasons: The organic nature of social media (You tell two friends and they tell two friends and so on) and the release of pent-up demand for thousands of gay active-duty military and vets.

"Remember that these folks have never before been able to communicate in a general way," said McKinnon. "OutMilitary is their outlet."

Ken Wu, a 21-year-old cadet living in China, recently joined the site because he "wants to get to know other soldiers and veterans."

"I joined OutMilitary after I read about the site in a local newspaper in Colombia," added Alejandro Quintana, 29. "I thought it would be a good way to meet people in the same situation I was in when I was part of the Colombian Air Force."

Quintana served as a lieutenant under circumstances similar to DADT. "The experience has been good," he said. "I've met people not only from Colombia, but from around the world."

Many American servicemembers who remain on active duty remain unwilling to speak on the record. They do not post a picture and will continue to use a "screen name" to conceal their identity-at least until DADT is completely repealed.

They are still joining the site by the thousands.

"I joined OutMilitary because I wanted to see if there was anyone like me at the base I am stationed at," said one 22-year-old enlisted Air Force man who wished to remain anonymous.

He was "extremely limited to meet other people outside of a bar" before joining the site. "I wanted to see who else is out there," he stressed. "I have actually made two friends here."

A 27-year-old Army staff sergeant stationed in South Korea joined OutMilitary.com two weeks ago. "I am a gay soldier working in a dominatingly straight environment and I have started to feel the pressure to talk with somebody like me," he said, wishing to remain anonymous. "OutMilitary provides just that. I get to connect with other military members in the same boat as me letting me know that I am not alone. From day one, OutMilitary members greeted me with open arms and I have already made a few dozen friends that I actively talk to. I have even come into a position where I can provide my own life experience for advice. OutMilitary definitely has a future and I am proud to be a part of it."

Army Specialist Aiden P (he asked EDGE not to publish his last name out of fear of reprisals), became an OutMilitary.com member because the site is "here at a time when history is about to change forever."

"The site is a safe zone for gay military members to connect and chat, but I see the potential for it to grow and expand," the 39-year-old told EDGE. "My experience so far on the site has been great. I've met a lot of interesting, friendly people and I have had a lot of questions answered from fellow service members about subjects that I otherwise may not have gotten answers to."

McKinnon, who has never served but comes from a military family, said he is proud of the gap he said OutMilitary.com is filling. "I want to give a special thanks to all of the OutMilitary.com veterans and retirees," he said. "Many of these people came from the pre-DADT era. Their membership to OutMilitary.com helps to heal past injustices and connects us across generations."