Josh Seefried

Josh Seefried (born February 6, 1986) is an LGBT rights activist, a former captain in the United States Air Force, and a former co-chairman on the Board of Directors of OutServe-SLDN, an association of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members of the U.S. Military. A graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2009, Josh was formerly known by his pseudonym JD Smith during his campaign to end the discrimination against lesbians, gays and bisexuals serving openly in the United States military.[1][2]

Josh Seefried
BornFebruary 6, 1986 (1986-02-06) (age 35)
Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
Alma materUnited States Air Force Academy
OccupationStrategic Communications
EmployerVeteran Affairs
Known forLGBT rights activism
Websitewww.JoshSeefried.com

Using social networking tools such as Facebook, Seefried organized LGBT active-duty military personnel into an underground association OutServe.[2] To preclude outing himself as gay while serving on active duty in the Air Force, a violation of the then- Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy for which he could have been prosecuted and discharged, he assumed the leadership role and interacted with the media and officials in the Pentagon and the White House using only his pseudonym.[3] He has appeared on CNN, HLN, and MSNBC in shadow; additionally, his comments continue to be regularly sought after by the media as a representative of lesbian, gay, and bisexual actively-serving military members. He was also an invited guest to the presidential signing of the legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

On October 27, 2012, the two organizations OutServe and SLDN merged. Seefried was voted co-chair of the board of directors, making him the youngest at 26 to co-chair any major LGBT organization.[4] Seefried later resigned from the Board of Directors and left OutServe-SLDN.[5]

Book: Our Time

Shortly following the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", Josh worked with several LGBT military men and women to compile a book, Our Time: Breaking the Silence of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", ISBN 1594203318.

References
  1. Leo Shane III (September 20, 2011). "An outspoken anti-DADT activist reveals his identity". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  2. Chris Geidner (July 26, 2010). "OutServe to Launch Effort Representing Active Gay and Lesbian Troops". Metroweekly. Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  3. JD Smith (December 20, 2010). "Active-Duty Gay Officer Reacts To DADT Repeal". All Things Considered (Interview: audio/transcript). Interviewed by Robert Siegel. NPR. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  4. "OutServe and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Vote to Finalize Historic Combination, Elect Board Co-Chairs" (Press release). Zeke Stokes, OutServe-SLDN. October 27, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  5. "Josh Seefried: In His Own Words" (Interview). Jerry Portwood, OUT Magazine. July 30, 2013.
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