30 Days of Pride!

June 8: Brenda "Sue" Fulton

Brenda "Sue" Fulton has been a leader in the fight for full LGBT military equality for nearly two decades and since the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) has only intensified and accelerated her commitment and involvement in the movement.  

Fulton was among the first women to graduate from West Point in 1980, and then served in Germany for five years as a member of the Signal Corps, as a platoon leader, staff officer, and company commander, leaving at the rank of Captain.  Following her service to the Army, she worked in brand management for Procter & Gamble, Church & Dwight. She also worked with parish renewal programs for the Archdiocese of New York.  She also became an advocate for LGBT military equality, coming out in 1993 during the national debate on the controversial issue of open military service - and the passage of DADT. She was one of the founding board members of both Knights Out, an organization of LGBT West Point graduates and allies and OutServe, an organization of actively-serving LGBT military personnel.  She now serves as Executive Director to Knights Out, Communications Director for OutServe and is active on the Forum on the Military Chaplaincy and the Military Outreach Committee.  In July 2011, President Obama nominated her to the Board of Visitors at West Point, making her the first openly gay or lesbian person on the board.  Her tireless work and dedication to full equality in the armed forces is reflected in the strength of the organizations through which she serves.

She lives with her partner, Penny Gnesin, in  Asbury Park, NJ.

To learn more about Knights Out and OutServe click the following links: http://outserve.org/ http://www.knightsout.org/