SAN DIEGO -- On September 20, 2011, the day chosen as the end to U. S. military's ban on gays and lesbians serving openly, the Military Acceptance Project plans to salute to LGBT service members past, present and future.

Called, "SALUTE to LGBT Service Members and the End of DADT," the event will be from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Bourbon Street Bar and Grill at 4612 Park Blvd, in University Heights.

The centerpiece of the event is the celebration of ALL LGBT service members and allies, past, present and future.

All service members and veterans in attendance will receive a gift.

A special highlight will be the 2011 SALUTE Awards, where nine service members or veterans who embody and promote acceptance both in the military and throughout our community, will be honored. Many of them are directly involved in social work, which is the backbone of the MAP organization.

The SALUTE Award honorees are as follows:

Eric Alva, the first service member injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom and decorated with a purple heart, is nationally recognized in the fight against DADT. After serving a total of thirteen years in the Marine Corps, he was medically retired and later came out as a gay man. He testified against DADT in Congress and was there when President Obama signed the bill authorizing the repeal. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Eric will be on-hand to receive his SALUTE Award personally.

Sean Sala, best known for organizing the first contingent of service members and veterans to march in an LGBT pride parade this year in San Diego. In addition to serving in the Navy for four years, Sean’s work to organize and connect LGBT service members to one another for support purposes, has been outstanding. Sala currently lives in San Diego.

Jenny Kopfstein, a graduate of the US Naval Academy who served for three years until she was discharged as the result of DADT. Kopfstein testified against DADT in Congress and has supported legal cases that found DADT to be unconstitutional. Jenny just completed her law degree at University of San Diego.

Joe Whitaker, a naval intelligence officer during the Vietnam War. Since leaving the military he has been part of the LGBT community in San Diego and has worked tirelessly as a volunteer for a variety of organizations. Most notably, Joe supports organizations that help LGBT persons recover from alcoholism and drug addiction.

Nikki Wolff Conley, a tireless ally and advocate for the equality of women and LGBT people both in the military and beyond. Conley served for six years in the Navy herself and is completing her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Southern California.

Service Member X, an active duty Marine Corps officer who has worked behind-the-scenes to fight the repeal and support LGBT service members, will be also be honored. He prefers that we continue to keep his identity a secret even after the repeal of DADT.

Service Member X, name, identity and details witheld at service member's request.

Service Member X, name, identity and details witheld at service member's request.

Service Member X, name, identity and details witheld at service member's request.

According to the founders of MAP, the fact that four of the honorees chose to withold their identities further underscores the fact that the repeal is only the beginning of much needed cultural change within the military, leading to the ultimate acceptance of all service members and their contributions.

More about MAP

The Military Acceptance Project (MAP) is a San Diego organization created by a team of graduate students and faculty affiliated with the University of Southern California's School of Social Work. MAP promotes the acceptance and dignity of every United States service member worldwide, has no political agenda and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense, any branch of service, or federal/state government. MAP values each service member and his or her contribution to support and defend the United States of America.