Brett Jones.JPG

Brett Jones

Brett Jones was born into a military family, spending his childhood traveling around the world. He continued the tradition through service as a Navy SEAL, all the while knowing he was gay. Jones served during the era of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the policy that prohibited discrimination against gay service members but also barred them from disclosing their sexuality.

Jones talks about that experience and much more in his new book "Pride: The Story of the First Openly Gay Navy Seal."

He talks about his experiences with AL.com.



Name: Brett Jones



Hometown: Austin, Texas, currently residing in Huntsville



When did you join the military? Was it something you always wanted to do? You mentioned you knew you were gay when you were a child, so I imagine that was always in your mind when you joined during the era of (Don't Ask Don't Tell)...

"I graduated from boot camp in 1994. The DADT policy was new at the time I joined, and I knew instinctively that being gay in the military was still a dangerous thing. When specific questions arose, I learned to skirt around the truth to keep my privacy and continue on my path of becoming a Navy SEAL."



Talk a little about your military career. Not only did you serve but you opted to be a SEAL, one of the most demanding positions there is...

"Being a Navy SEAL was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I served at SEAL team 8, and later became a plank owner of SEAL team 10. It was an incredibly competitive, demanding, and unbelievably dangerous career. It was in that environment that I discovered my true passion- saving lives and protecting Americans. It makes for the best sleep."



I read that you were "outed" due to a phone call from your boyfriend and that the backlash was severe. Can you talk about what you dealt with?



"It was tough. The Navy was threatening to dishonorably discharge me, and everything I had worked so hard for was about to be taken from me. I did a lot of soul searching and prayer during that time."

Did that lead to you leaving the military? If not, talk about when you did leave service and what your plans were? And how did you end up in Alabama?

"The investigation was eventually dropped. I decided to get out of the Navy honorably in 2003. Too many people knew I was gay, and it would have been a matter of time before they found another way to try and dishonorably discharge me.

I met my husband four years ago; he was born and raised (in Huntsville.) He is a police officer in this great state, and we both shared the same deep conviction to protect and serve Americans. We started a security company together to do just that. I haven't looked back."

You've spoken and written about being gay in a red state such as Alabama. What is that like?

"Alabama has some pretty amazing people. We rocketed human beings to the moon, built the very first submarine, not to mention produced people like Harper Lee, Rosa Parks, and Tim Cook to name a few.

Unfortunately, some people think that I am sinful or immoral, and I can respect that. I proudly fought for them to have that right to be open with their beliefs. Many of my brothers died for it. However, I do not believe their opinions should dictate what constitutes a family by law.

I recently spoke with representatives from Equality Alabama, and the Human Rights Campaign. They reminded me how we are all entitled to have our own beliefs. I believe very strongly in being a good father, husband, and employer. Frustratingly, my family, and many other families in Alabama stand unprotected by the law in all those areas. Can you imagine having your children taken, being fired, and not being able to see your husband or wife while they die in a hospital? It's hard to fathom, but that is the reality we live in."

What lesson do you hope your son and others take from your story?

"The most important is to never let somebody's race, religion, sexual orientation, age, or really anything allow you to veil the content of their character. Diversity is one of the greatest gifts this world has to offer. However, diversity without equality in your mind becomes oppression."



Brett Jones's book has been receiving positive reviews from both conservatives and liberals. You can find it at his website www.brettjones.net or any online bookstore.





