In Good News — Thanks to Pam P
Lindsay Church left the Navy in 2012, having served under the United States’ “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which prohibited military servicemembers from being open about their sexual orientation.
“I really struggled with, am I a veteran, or am I queer?” Church told Next City. “And if I’m a veteran, I can’t be queer because they hate me here.”
Since then, Church co-founded Minority Veterans of America, a nonprofit that helps veterans that identify as gender, racial, or religious minorities.
Church’s work remains necessary, for LGBTQ+ veterans trying to regain their autonomy, as well as in fighting continuing attempts to remove transgender servicemembers from the military.
In October, Minority Veterans reached an exciting milestone: The opening of the nation’s first-ever transitional housing facility for homeless LGBTQ+ veterans.
With a $1.8 million levy from King County, the organization opened Q’mmunity House, a renovated 1915 five-bedroom, two-story home in West Seattle.
Signing a 50-year contract with the county, Minority Veterans will operate the home, which gives residents a place to stay for six to 18 months as they find permanent housing.
“Today, we are filled with immense pride as we celebrate the realization of a long-held dream — Q’mmunity House,” Church said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the home.
“This milestone represents years of dedication and hard work to create a refuge for LGBTQ+ veterans who have too often been left behind and experienced discrimination and stigma when accessing essential services.” (continued)