New Gay Military Magazine Headed for Base Newsstands

With the official repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" less than a month away, members of the military can expect to see a new gay-themed magazine available at military exchange stores on Sept. 20, the same day the repeal goes into effect.

The gay-advocacy group OutServe launched the magazine last Spring and has already produced two editions. The group says its September edition will be available for free at select Army and Air Force bases.

According to the group's website OutServe Magazineis a publication that "highlights the contributions that actively serving LGBTs are making to the United States military, discusses and educates readers about DADT repeal policies, and advocates for the continued fight for equality for all Americans."

The new September edition will feature a photo spread of nearly 100 people who are both active duty service members and members of OutServe. It will presumably be the first time these individuals have made their sexuality known among the military ranks.

OutServe's online magazine features a self help section called "Ask Sarge," where readers are encouraged to discuss their problems with a mental health and substance abuse expert who has experience working at a Combat Stress Clinic in Afghanistan.

"Our first objective with the magazine is to let all the gay, lesbian, bi, and trans members currently serving know that they are not alone," OutServe's co-director, an active-duty officer who goes by the pseudonym JD Smith said in a written release. "And we also want to communicate to all troops that there are capable gay military members serving honorably, and that accepting that and moving on will make our military stronger."

Lt. Col. Tom Shrader, a spokesman for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, did not know which bases will carry the first print editions of the magazine.