The California National Guard has announced it will send recruiters to the San Diego LGBT Pride Festival and Parade this weekend.
The recruitment effort is part of the Cal Guard's "summerlong outreach to the gay community at Pride events across the state," according to an email sent out to reporters:
The effort began in L.A. last month when Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, the state's adjutant general, joined Assembly Speaker John Perez atop a Cal Guard Humvee in the LA Pride Parade, where they were met with an overwhelmingly positive response from parade observers and participants.
During last year's San Diego Pride festival and parade, the Department of Defense gave a special waiver to local service members, allowing them to wear their uniforms at the event.
This year is a little different.
So far, just two branches of the service have given the OK to their members to wear their uniforms at Pride.
The Advocate is reporting Navy Region Southwest has authorized active-duty service members under its command to wear their uniforms at Pride events.
And Marines and Sailors assigned to the I Marine Expeditionary Force have received permission to wear their uniforms as well, according to San Diego Gay and Lesbian News.
No word yet from the Air Force or the Army.
