Welcome to Out & Equal’s second LGBTQ+ Veterans Community Engagement Group Roundtable of 2025.

CEGs offer year-round opportunities for intersectional identity groups to build shared awareness around common challenges and strategies and inspire each other through individual stories. The LGBTQ+ Veterans Roundtable will be hosted by Retired Major General Tammy Smith (she/her) from the U.S. Army and Ashley Carothers (she/her) from the Veterans Affairs.

There are many nuances and complexities to being an LGBTQ+ veteran, including navigating the not only the trauma or serving, but the marginalization from veteran communities that may hold biases against LGBTQ+ identities. The feelings of isolation from both the LGBTQ+ community and the military or veteran communities that have shaped their lives can lead often to lead LGBTQ+ veterans to feel they don’t belong in either.

It’s why safe spaces like Out & Equal’s LGBTQ+ Veterans CEG, where individuals of like-identities can connect, share stories, and open up about their unique challenges and experiences are critically important. Through these vital support networks, which are centered on community and open dialogue, individuals can find understanding, and they can feel seen and validated.

This CEG is available for O&E partner contacts and companies and community and non-profit organizations. You must self-ID with the group.