Between sips of an iced coffee, Airman 1st Class Leslie Wilson, a 60th Dental Squadron dental technician here, talks about her life.

She talks about her childhood in Tennessee, going to college on a soccer scholarship and following in her father’s footsteps by joining the military.

However, she also discusses candidly that she is a lesbian, serving in the U.S. Air Force…

Wilson’s story about herself and her sexuality parallels a time of changing social norms for both the nation and the armed forces. Last summer, for example, Chuck Hagel became the first sitting secretary of defense to attend a Pentagon Pride event.

“Gay and lesbian service members and LGBT civilians are integral to America’s armed forces,” Hagel said. “Our nation has always benefited from the service of gay and lesbian Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen and Marines. Now they can serve openly, with full honor, integrity and respect. This makes our military and our nation stronger, much stronger…”

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