{"id":11403,"date":"2021-05-27T21:16:01","date_gmt":"2021-05-27T21:16:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/05\/27\/lgbtq-indigenous-task-forces-want-to-light-a-fire-to-get-things-changed\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:10:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:10:43","slug":"lgbtq-indigenous-task-forces-want-to-light-a-fire-to-get-things-changed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2021\/05\/27\/lgbtq-indigenous-task-forces-want-to-light-a-fire-to-get-things-changed\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBTQ, indigenous task forces want to \u2018light a fire to get things changed\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Maj. Gen. Leah Lauderback could choose to dwell on the misery she carried through the \u201cDon\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell\u201d era, when she needed to hide her sexuality to stay in the military. Instead, the Space Force official wants to create a better future for those like her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hid. I evaded questions. I was untruthful at times. \u2026 My private life and my relationships were stressed, and there was a lack of support for my family,\u201d the Space Force\u2019s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance director, told reporters Wednesday. \u201cI now choose to focus on the light.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lauderback is a leader of the Air Force\u2019s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer\/Questioning Initiative Team (LIT), one of two task forces<\/a> created in March to update military policies that still pose barriers to minority service members. She came out as gay in 1997 and married her wife in 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other, an Indigenous Nations Equality Team (INET), will handle the concerns of airmen and guardians of American Indian and Native Alaskan heritage. Col. Terrence Adams, deputy director for strategy, policy and assessment at Air Force headquarters and an airman of Cherokee and Creek Indian heritage, leads the INET.<\/p>\n\n\n\t