After the long-awaited repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) in 2011, the movement for equality celebrated. Finally, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) servicemembers could be open and honest about who they are.

But even as we celebrated, we knew that much work remained. Today, our military still doesn’t allow transgender individuals to serve, and although LGB people are allowed to serve openly, the military is far from inclusive to members of our community.

In the Palmetto State, Federation member South Carolina Equality (SCE) is working to ensure that the military is becoming more inclusive, and they’re starting at The Citadel Military College.

At colleges and universities nationwide, Safe Zone programs are used to train staff, faculty and students on concrete strategies for supporting LGBT students, including how to educate about anti-LGBT bias.

The South Carolina Gay Straight Alliance Network (SC GSA Network), a program of SCE, has partnered with The Citadel to implement Safe Zone programming at one of South Carolina’s most revered colleges.

Jen Bennett is a board member of South Carolina Equality and the Chair of the SC GSA Network. Jen attended The Citadel Graduate College, and during her time there, she celebrated the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and rejoiced as students across the campus came out.

Although there was no DADT policy in place for Citadel Cadets, many students are enlisted in the reserves or plan military careers after graduation. Until the end of DADT, these students were forced to serve and study in silence, unable to be honest about their sexual orientation.

After the repeal of DADT, SC GSA Network committee member David Giammarella started The Citadel’s first university-recognized Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), which sparked the creation of the Safe Zone Program. According to Jen:

“To protect the safety and security of those coming out as LGBT or Allies, the Safe Zone Program was developed to ensure that there would be a net of safety for those who would participate in the GSA.”

Since the creation of the GSA and the Safe Zone Program, Jen has developed and led all Safe Zone Trainings at The Citadel. These trainings are available to any member of the campus community: faculty, staff, cadets, undergraduate evening students and graduate students.

“The purpose of the trainings is to provide faculty, staff and students with the appropriate language around and knowledge of LGBT people and culture. Participants leave with a deepened understanding of the different types of harm that can come from homophobia and transphobia, and we provide national, state and local resources in the event folks are approached for help from someone who is LGBT,” said Jen.

While Citadel cadets are not required to join the military upon graduation, many do decide to answer the call to service and country, with about 30 percent of each year’s graduating class receiving a military commission. It is important for students and faculty alike, especially those who may join the military post-graduation, to learn about the LGBT community and to receive training on how to create a welcoming environment for all people.

According to Ryan Wilson, executive director of South Carolina Equality, these positive changes at the Citadel are part of a growing shift toward greater acceptance and inclusion in the south:

"For many in South Carolina, the Citadel is a symbol of the heritage and tradition that makes up our conservative state culture. To see this institution evolving to meet the needs of an inclusive military is a sign that our state can and will evolve on issues of LGBT equality -- and can potentially lead on these issues.

The fact that The Citadel now has nondiscrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity, in addition to Safe Zone programming, is just further proof that positive change can happen anywhere, even at a military college in the south."