Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva (Ret.)

Originally released: August 02, 2009

On episode 8 of Nathan OUTloud, I interview Retired Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva. Eric's courageous story of 13 years of service in the United States Marine Corp. and being the first US Service Member to be injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom caught the country's attention in 2003.

After spending over a year rehabilitating from the injuries he sustained, Eric retired from the Marines. After his retirement, Eric went back to college to obtain his degree. It was during that time that he decided to be true to himself and help others and he came out as a gay veteran. In February of 2007, Eric joined Rep. Martin Meehan, D-MA, at the introduction of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill designed to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Eric discusses his journey and what has driven him to be a voice for equality, not only for LGBT people, but for all Americans.

Eric will also participate in the Voices of Honor tour in select cities. For more information visit hrc.org/voicesofhonor. For the latest on H.R.1283 "Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009", click here.

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