JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The 32nd Medical Brigade held its second annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or LGBT, Pride Month Observance June 30. The guest speaker was Capt. Rosita Fregoso, commander of Company D, 232nd Medical Battalion, and she shared with the audience her own personal trials of family, society and the military’s disapproval in her choice of companion early in her career.
“There was one time when my then-girlfriend had a death in her family and I was unable to take leave to be by her side,” Fregoso said. “Because we were not allowed to be married, I could not put in emergency leave. Due to the time of the death, I was unable to take ordinary leave”.
Fregoso spoke about the changes in regulation and policy, as well as the importance of the Equal Opportunity program. The program eliminates discriminatory behaviors and practices that undermine teamwork, mutual respect, loyalty and shared sacrifice.
“The Army has come a long way and I’m proud to see all the growth and positive changes we have made,” Fregoso said. “Now as a company commander, I see myself in some of my trainees and I don’t take my position for granted. I now realize that I can make a direct impact with these young kids, our young Americans. I want to make all of them feel comfortable with who they are.”
Fregoso hails from Chicago and attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan., where she graduated with a bachelors of arts in social science as a distinguished military graduate. She began her military career in 1999 when she enlisted as a 52D, mechanical engineer, and later earned her commission through the Green to Gold ROTC program as a Medical Service Corps officer. She later married her current partner in September 2016 at a ceremony in Austin, Texas.
LGBT Pride month is observed in June to commensurate the history of the LGBT movement. In June 1969, supporters and patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York staged an uprising to resist the police persecution and harassment to which LGBT Americans commonly subjected.