Friday, nearly 100 people gathered at The San Diego LGBT Community Center to celebrate what was a first for San Diego and quite possibly for the nation: the retirement ceremony of an LGBT servicemember at an LGBT community center.
Hospitalman First Class Trent Osier chose the venue for his retirement ceremony which celebrated his 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy. For him the choice was clear.
“When I was approached by my command to have the ceremony, out of all the items, the location was non-negotiable,” Osier told San Diego LGBT Weekly.
His command, Carrier Strike Group 1 (CCSG-1), had concerns over the venue. “They had concerns about the location and about not making political statements; this wasn’t about that, and it turned out to be a great event,” said Osier.
The event literally came with all the bells and whistles as the CCSG-1 contingent observed the long-standing naval tradition of ringing a bell during the recitation of The Watch and piping the retiring sailor ashore, which includes the servicemember requesting permission to go ashore and marching through an honor guard while a whistle is piped.
The event was presided over by Capt. Randolf Pierson, Osiers’ commanding officer and attended by a contingent of around two dozen sailors from CCSG-1 and a color guard. Council President Todd Gloria was in attendance, gave remarks and presented Osier with a special commendation.
Also in attendance were Osier’s family including his father Mr. Gary Osier, his mother Mrs. Pamela Osier and his partner of 5 years Lee Lozano, also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
“The idea of the retirement ceremony taking place at The Center started out as a little bit of a joke almost 5-years ago when we first began our relationship,” said Lozano. “It is the tradition of the Navy that the servicemember can have any type of retirement they want because it is supposed to reflect them and their service.”
Lozano recalled the beginning of their relationship which began during the time of the now defunct Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) policy.
“During the last two years of DADT when Trent and I met we were beginning to test the limits of what we could get away with,” Lozano said. “We marched in the first military contingent at San Diego Pride in 2010 before it was repealed.”
Toward the end of his enlistment things had changed. “My admiral had come to me to tell me that he knew I was gay and that Trent was welcome at any events that the command held where spouses or dates were invited. It was a big day for us when I took Trent to our command holiday party a few months before I left the Navy.”
When asked why The Center, Osier said, “It was important to me that people see events like this and that they are not controversial and to highlight our community’s service and the good work that The Center does.”
In his remarks Osier told the crowd that after 20 years in the medical field in the Navy he would be going to school for accounting.
“Once I complete school we might be able to open a business , possibly catering; but after the last few days of getting ready for this Lee probably thinks I can’t handle it.” The crowd erupted in laughter. “But what I am most excited about,” continued Osier, “ is that whatever it is, that me and Lee can do it side by side for the rest of our lives.”
Fair winds and following seas, HM1! Thank you for your service!