Recupero, Elizabeth, D.O., former Captain, U.S. Army (1983-2000)

I was commissioned in 1987 after attending Penn State University on a four year Army R.O.T.C scholarship. While at Penn State I was a Distinguished Military Student and was granted an educational delay to attend graduate school at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. I was further delayed from active duty after my acceptance to the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri where I graduated first in my Medical school class.

It was in my last year of residency that I met my life partner, Judith Levinson. I can honestly say that the day I met Judy, my life was changed forever. I could not live alone, in the closet without her. We went to Vermont shortly after Civil Unions became law, and we were the first couple in the United States Military to have a Vermont Civil Union.

I remember the day I called SLDN and told them of my plan to serve openly and honestly as a physician in the Army, this was in December 2000. The next five years were spent in a tireless battle with the U.S. Army; the result of which was an honorable discharge.

Today my partner, Judy and I live in the small town of Lambertville, New Jersey. I am the town doctor, and we daily live open, honest lives demonstrating to the world that being gay does not impact the service one can provide to their community. It has been my great privilege to assist SLDN in any capacity, because one of the greatest disappointments of my life has been that I was never allowed to serve my country in uniform.