Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Leonard P. Matlovich (1943 - 1988)

Leonard Matlovich on the cover of Time magazine, 8 September 1975

Matlovich's grave in the District of Columbia’s Congressional Cemetery

Leonard was born July 6, 1943, and died June 22, 1988 in San Francisco. Burial place: Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.

From Find a Grave.com:

Technical Sergeant, US Air Force, Veteran of the Vietnam War. A proud, gay veteran, he challenged the US Air Force policy on automatically discharging homosexual service members as "unfit for military service." His most famous quote: "They gave me a medal for killing two men, and a discharge for loving one."

In 1975, T/Sgt Matlovich, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War with 15 years of service, openly announced his sexual preference, and challenged the US Air Forces' policy of automatically discharging homosexuals. The Air Force promptly discharged him anyway. In 1980, he successfully sued the Air Force for reinstatement, and the court ordered the Air Force to allow him to rejoin the Air Force. However, he settled for a one time payment of $160,000 from the Air Force, and did not retire. The case ruling allowed homosexuals to remain in the military as long as they abstained from any form of sexual activity and kept "in the closet."

Later, he lived in San Francisco, California, and became active in the Gay Rights movement. His court case was made into a TV-Movie "Sergeant Matlovich vs. the US Air Force" and was telecast on 21 August 1978.

See also:

Sgt. Leonard P. Matlovich: Patriot, Mormon, and Activist

Leonard Matlovich Makes Time

Affinity, September 1988, p. 5.

Additional panels in Leonard's memory can be seen at the AIDS Memorial Quilt

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