Matlovich, Leonard, 1943-1988

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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.
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006. National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017. National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Washington, DC. Washington, DC SP Kameny, Dr. Franklin E., House. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Bill Camilo Papers The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.
referencedIn Frank Kameny Papers, 1843-2006, (bulk 1957-1996) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Anchor, Cliff. Cliff Anchor papers, 1950s-2000. San Francisco Public Library, Main Library
referencedIn Bill Camilo Papers The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.
creatorOf Leonard Matlovich Papers, 1961-1988 (Bulk 1975-1988) The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society.
referencedIn Martin B. Duberman papers, 1917-1992 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Matlovich, Leonard. Leonard Matlovich papers, 1961-1988 (bulk 1975-1988). San Francisco Public Library, Main Library
Relation Name
associatedWith Anchor, Cliff. person
associatedWith Camilo, Bill, 1959-1993. person
associatedWith Camilo, Guillermo (Bill) person
associatedWith Duberman, Martin B person
associatedWith Kameny, Frank, 1925-2011. person
memberOf United States. Air Force corporateBody
associatedWith United States. National Park Service corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Savannah GA US
West Hollywood CA US
Subject
Coming out (Sexual orientation)
Gay military personnel
Gay rights
Gay soldiers
Homophobia
Occupation
Activist
Activists
Military personnel
Activity

Person

Birth 1943-07-06

Death 1988-06-22

Male

Americans

English

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