"When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one" from Sergeant Matlovich\s funeral stone Technical Sergeant Leonard Philip Matlovich (July 6, 1943 – June 22, 1988) was an American Vietnam War veteran, race relations instructor, and recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He was the first gay service member to purposely out himself to the military to fight their ban on gays, and perhaps the best-known openly gay man in the United States of America in the 1970s next to Harvey Milk. His fight to stay in the United States Air Force after coming out of the closet became a cause célèbre around which the gay community rallied. His case resulted in articles in newspapers and magazines throughout the country, numerous television interviews, and a television movie on NBC. His photograph appeared on the cover of the September 8, 1975, issue of Time magazine, making him a symbol for thousands of gay and lesbian servicemembers and gay people generally. Matlovich was the first named openly gay person to appear on the cover of a U.S. newsmagazine. According to author Randy Shilts, "It marked the first time the young gay movement had made the cover of a major newsweekly. To a movement still struggling for legitimacy, the event was a major turning point.. In October 2006, Matlovich was honored by LGBT History Month as a leader in the history of the LGBT community. Here is a rare TV movie that follows the true story of Leonard Matlovich. William Daniels costars. The movie weaves flashback footage into the courtroom drama. On June 22, 1988, less than a month before his 45th birthday, Matlovich died in Los Angeles of complications from HIV/AIDS. Director: Paul Leaf Writer: John McGreevey Stars: Brad Dourif, Ellen Holly, Harrison Page |