Now Accepting Nominations for the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor
By Gus Hernandez
Nominations Due July 1, 2024
Veterans have played an important role throughout San Diego’s history, including our LGBTQ+ service members who have served their country, whether they were in the closet during their service, or whether they were out and proud.
The Benjamin F. Dillingham, III and Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor stands as a testament to the resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment of LGBTQ+ veterans who have served our nation. The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor commemorates those who faced adversity due to discriminatory policies and those who continued to serve after the end of such policies.
For over 50 years, The San Diego LGBT Community Center has been a pillar of support for the LGBTQ+ community. Among its many initiatives, the Veterans Wall of Honor holds a special place. It pays tribute to veterans who served under anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including the notorious “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) era. These brave individuals took an oath to defend our country, even when their own identities were met with prejudice and discrimination.
By serving our country honorably and with distinction, each veteran honored as part of the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor has served as a role model for advancing equality for all. The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor commemorates these veterans’ lives in hopes that their courage, bravery, and sacrifices will continue to inspire future generations.
The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor serves multiple purposes.
Recognition: It acknowledges the sacrifices made by LGBTQ+ veterans before, during, and after DADT. Their service was often marked by secrecy, fear, and personal struggle. By recognizing them as inductees of the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor, we celebrate their contributions.
Inspiration: The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor serves as a beacon of hope for future generations. It reminds us that courage and resilience can overcome even the most oppressive circumstances. These veterans paved the way for progress and equality.
Education: The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor educates people about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ service members. It sheds light on the systemic discrimination they endured and the progress we have made towards inclusivity.
LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor nominations are now open. If you know an LGBTQ+ veteran with ties to San Diego, consider nominating them. Here are the details to nominate an individual:
* Nomination Period: Nominations are open from May 1 to July 1.
* Eligibility Criteria: Nominees are eligible regardless of rank earned, branch of service, or component (Active, Reserve or National Guard), and nominees may be living or deceased.
Criteria a veteran must meet in order to be nominated:
* Candidate must meet the definition of a veteran
* Candidate must have taken the Oath of Enlistment or Oath of Office
* Candidate must embody the Core Values of their respective service branch
* Candidate must submit a copy of DD214
How to Nominate:
* Review the candidate criteria on the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor page.
* Complete the nomination form by July 1, 2024.
The 2024 LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony takes place on the Thursday before Veterans Day. This year, it will take place on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at The San Diego LGBT Community Center (3909 Centre St, San Diego, CA).
LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor History
The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor, believed to be the first of its kind to honor LGBTQ+ veterans, was unveiled at The Center on November 10, 2011, following the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. The LGBT Veterans Wall was conceived by City and County Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez and created with the generous support of veterans Benjamin F. Dillingham, III and Bridget Wilson.
The LGBT Veterans Wall is named after Dillingham and Wilson, and the first cohort include notable inductees Jeri Dilno, the first woman Executive Director of The Center who passed away earlier this year, and Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.
LGBT Veterans Wall Advisory Council:
The LGBT Veterans Wall is administered by a volunteer Advisory Council, led by Council Co-Chairs Sean Redmond (he/him), USAF (Ret.), and Veronica Zerrer (she/her), MAJ, USA (Ret.). The LGBT Veterans Wall Advisory Council, which is comprised of previous LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor inductees, reviews the nominations submitted each year and selects each year’s cohort.
Remembering Their Sacrifice:
The stories of LGBTQ+ veterans remind us that bravery knows no bounds, and their sacrifices continue to shape a more inclusive and just society.
To learn more about the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor including our past honorees, visit The Center’s website at Here and for inquiries about the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor, please contact veteranswall@thecentersd.org.