Join us for a panel discussion in honor of Pride!

Panel Discussion: Contributions and Experiences of LGBTQ Service Members and Military Children

Wednesday, June 21 | 6:00pm-8:00pm ET

In honor of Pride, join the Intrepid Museum for a conversation on the contributions and experiences of LGBTQ service members and military family members, particularly in the face of discrimination. Veterans and family members will share stories of resilience, struggle and activism in the past and present. Learn about the evolution of the military’s policies and practices affecting LGBTQ service members as well as the new challenges service members and military children face today. 

Light refreshments and beverages will be served at 6:00pm in the museum’s hangar deck.  Refreshments have been generously donated by The Marshal and Fresh from Hell. Panel will begin in the Intrepid Museum’s Lutnick Theater promptly at 6:45pm.

Live captioning will be provided for the panel.

Pre-registration is required for this free program.

Moderator:

Derick Waller

Derick Waller is a three-time New York Emmy Award-winning reporter for WABC-TV in New York City. You can catch Derick reporting on some of the biggest local and national stories every weekday on Eyewitness News This Morning on ABC7. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, he moved to the city in 2017, after spending many years reporting for TV stations in Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio. Derick’s father is a veteran of the U.S. Marines. Derick is openly gay and lives with his partner of 6 years in Manhattan.

Participants:

James Fitzgerald

James Fitzgerald is a U.S. Army veteran, where he served for nine years in the Infantry, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. He received the Purple Heart for his injuries sustained during combat in Afghanistan while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. In 2014, he was medically retired and honorably discharged from the military. James previously interned at the White House with First Lady Michelle Obama on Joining Forces, an initiative connecting service members, veterans, and their families with public and private sector resources in education, employment and wellness. Presently, he is a Strategic Engagement and Communications Associate at AmeriVet Securities.

Tanya Asapansa-Johnson Walker (she/her, they/them) 

She is an honorably discharged Combat Engineers Army Veteran. Tanya went to the College of Staten Island and studied social work. Tanya is the Co-founder of New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG); she formerly worked as, Chief Community Affairs Officer there. She is the former Co- President of The New York State Gender Diversity Coalition. Formerly Tanya served on the Advisory board at Equality New York. She facilitates the Transgender Women’s Group at SAGE, Midtown Manhattan.

Jay Cook

Jay Cook is a young professional who grew up in a Marine Corps family. His father was stationed primarily in Camp Pendleton and at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, where he still lives. Jay has worked in the music industry and currently works in non-profit recruiting. He has been openly gay since the age of 12 and is currently engaged to a trans man. He lives in Inwood, Manhattan.

FAQs

What are the Museum’s health and safety protocols and requirements?

The health and safety of our visitors is our top priority. Visit www.intrepidmuseum.org/onboard-with-safety for up-to-date information on the Museum’s health and safety guidelines.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Please visit intrepidmuseum.org/Plan-Your-Visit/Getting-Here for directions. There is no parking at the Museum.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please email [email protected].

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, but if you can bring a paper or digital copy of your ticket it expedites the check-in process!

Veterans Programs are made possible by public funds facilitated by the New York City Council Committee on Veterans, in partnership with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. These programs are also supported by the Craig Newmark Philanthropic Fund. The Museum’s education programs are supported, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

Refreshments generously donated by:

The Marshal — A cozy, rustic-chic spot with a wood oven firing farm-to-table New American dishes, plus a full bar.  https://www.the-marshal.com/

FRESH FROM HELL — a cozy joint in the heart of Hell’s Kitchen, offering a wide selection of healthy food and drinks, including the best Açai bowls in the city. Its mission is to feed Hell’s Kitchen with food that is fresh, delicious, and prepared in a friendly, neighborly way. http://www.freshfromhell.com/