Ex-soldier who's gay to discuss Army life

Former Pvt. Kyle Lawson will give a public talk about his experiences today at Tucson's gay and lesbian resource center.

The Tucson native, who had his nose broken by a fellow soldier whom the Army declined to prosecute, will speak at Wingspan, 425 E. Seventh St. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.

In addition to recounting his experiences at Fort Huachuca, in Sierra Vista, Lawson plans to discuss the history of the Defense Department's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which allows homosexuals to serve their country only if they keep their sexual orientation a secret.

"We're losing good soldiers because of this stupid policy," said Lawson, who was training to become a military intelligence specialist at the fort, 75 miles southeast of Tucson.

He was honorably discharged in January at his own request, saying he feared for his safety after the assault.

Lawson also will discuss his new life as a civilian in his hometown. The 19-year-old was born in Tucson but went to high school in the Ozark Mountains after his mother moved to Missouri. After leaving the Army, Lawson briefly moved back to the Bible Belt state but said he was ostracized there due to publicity about the assault and his sexual orientation.

"I couldn't get a job. I was an outcast at my old church, and people I thought were friends rejected me," he said of the atmosphere he faced in the Cape Fair, Mo., area.

Upon returning to Tucson, he quickly found work, an apartment — and acceptance.

"I've been welcomed here with open arms," he said. "It's a huge change to be in a city that's so accepting, so kind."

Kent Burbank, executive director of the center that supports Tucson's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population, said public interest in Lawson's story is high, and not just in the GLBT community. People in Lawson's situation rarely speak out, he said.

"The public doesn't get many opportunities to hear about the lives of gay and lesbian service members," he said. "There's a real interest in hearing about what his experiences were like."

I couldn't get a job. I was an outcast at my old church, and people I thought were friends rejected me.

Kyle Lawson

gay ex-soldier from Tucson