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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- OutServe, a support network for gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgendered service members, currently has more than 5,000 members in 50 plus chapters worldwide. More information about the local OutServe chapter can be found by visiting www.outserve.org/chapters/. (Courtesy photo)
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You're not alone
Posted 8/7/2012 Updated 8/7/2012
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by Airman 1st Class Stephanie Ashley
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
8/7/2012 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Captain Travis Halleman of Minot Air Force Base used to feel as if he were the only one out there like himself because of his sexual orientation. Tired of feeling that way, he organized a group for officers at Minot Air Force Base so that they would no longer feel the same.
MinOut is a support and networking group Halleman started for gay and lesbian officers currently stationed at Minot Air Force Base.
"No matter how open they are with others, it's a true support organization," said Halleman.
In September 2011 Halleman began looking for other officers like himself and found the first member of MinOut. The group got its start on Facebook and the page that was created is still used as the main means of coordinating meeting places and discussions.
"We started meeting to talk over dinner or at other public venues," said Halleman. "Slowly but surely we began to hear about other individuals or found them on Facebook and the group quickly grew from two, to three and so on."
Members meet every Sunday night for dinner.
"Dinner is a mixture of what happened at work the previous week and an opportunity to let down the guard, vent about life, and just be yourself," said Halleman. "It's amazing to see how much better one feels when they get to relate to others or vent about the stresses of life."
MinOut currently has seven members, and they believe there are other officers out there. It takes after the OutServe program which got its start as the unofficial "Underground Railroad" for gay service members before the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT)." OutServe is an outlet for all homosexual military members.
Senior Airman Robbie Campbell serves as the Minot AFB OutServe Chapter leader.
"I do not want any service member to live in the constant state of fear I lived in for 4 years," Campbell said. "OutServe is a support network to be there for any individual even if they don't yet have the courage to come out."
The local OutServe Chapter is working on putting together community outreach projects to raise awareness for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered community and also improve the local area's views of the base and its personnel.
"The key to our success is support and fellowship for individuals," Campbell said.
One of the main hurdles for both groups has been finding a way to make individuals aware of the support they offer.
"Many gay individuals may not have come to terms with their sexuality so they do not know where to turn," said Campbell. " Individuals can contact us anonymously through www.outserve.org/chapters, giving themselves an avenue to find information without outing themselves."
"I remember being a lieutenant in the DADT days and being completely terrified that asking for help would cause me to lose my job," said Halleman.
The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" may have opened the doors for groups like OutServe and MinOut to get their start, but the fear from the ten year policy has yet to fade from the minds of gay service members
"Many of the officers are worried that they will lose the respect of their Airmen; they're afraid that there will be backlash," said Halleman. "They are not as open as they would like to be and through the organization they are gaining the courage they need."
Both Halleman and Campbell mention they have received support from co-workers. "At first my co-workers did not know how to react, but they have also had the courage to have conversations with me which has only increased my respect for them," Halleman said.
The main message of the group is that gay and lesbian military members are not alone and that many others like them are here to lend support. Whether a service member is out or not there will be someone to talk to for those who have the courage to ask.
"The thing I want people to know is that they're not alone in this. A new day has come for the Air Force and our country as a whole and it's alright to ask for help," Halleman said.
"You may be surprised in what you find when you gather the courage to do just that," Campbell said.
For further information regarding MinOut or the Minot chapter of OutServe visit the MinOut Facebook page or (equivalent for OutServe) Also by E-mailing either
Northdakota@outserve.org or northerntier@outserve.org.
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