Ret. Lt. Col. Bob Alexander stayed closeted in the Air Force for 20 years because of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. He came out when the policy ended, and when he retired, he decided to help those who weren't discharged honorably because of their sexual orientation. He resides in Washington D.C., and works as a cybersecurity attorney. Keren Carrión/NPR hide caption
A pamphlet from a Pride Month event at the Pentagon in 2015. Monday marked the 10th anniversary of the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the U.S. military. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images hide caption
The body of Air Force Sgt. Leonard Matlovich is buried at Congressional Cemetery on July 2, 1988. Matlovich, recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in Vietnam, became a gay rights figure during his five-year battle against the Air Force, which discharged him in 1975 for homosexuality. In 1980 Matlovich settled with the Air Force and received an honorable discharge. Ira Schwartz/AP hide caption
A person shovels snow in Crested Butte, Colo. on Dec. 21, 2010. Nathan Bilow/AP hide caption
The gravestone of Air Force Sgt. Leonard Matlovich at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC. The Vietnam Veteran received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star and was discharged because he was gay. Mark Wilson/Getty hide caption