October 22nd 2021 Queer Voices

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Retiring Legacy CEO Katy Caldwell —-Author of “Mission Possible : The story of repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Dixon Osburn

We speak with the outgoing President/CEO of Legacy Community Health, Katy Caldwell. Legacy Community Health CEO Katy Caldwell is retiring after 25 years of leading the organization. Caldwell will retire from her position on December 31, Legacy said in a statement. After a nationwide search, Dr. Robert “Bobby” Hilliard Jr. has been appointed to the role. In the late 1980s, Caldwell began her journey as a volunteer at the Montrose Clinic, where she assisted people impacted by HIV and AIDS. In 1996, she became executive director of that organization (which later became Legacy). At the time of her appointment, the clinic provided care out of a converted motel building on lower Westheimer Road. Under Caldwell’s leadership, Legacy grew exponentially. It is the largest federally qualified health center in the entire Southwest, with more than 40 full-service clinics and 1,300 employees across Houston, Baytown, Deer Park, and Beaumont.

Guest: Katy Caldwell
https://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/

Then, we speak with Dixon Osborn about his novel, "Mission Possible: The Story of Repeaing Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Under “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” the Pentagon discharged 2-4 service members every day for being gay. Some were subjects of witch hunts. Others faced criminal charges. Many endured harassment, assault and threats. Mission Possible takes readers behind the scenes as Servicemembers Legal Defense Network lawyers repeatedly rushed to the aid of LGBT clients and demanded justice from commanders and Congress. Repealing the ban on open service by lesbian, gay and bisexual service members was a stunning reversal of a law enacted just 17 years prior. It remains the most significant pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual legislation Congress has passed. How did it happen? C. Dixon Osburn’s Mission Possible describes the strategy that he and Michelle Benecke, co-founders of SLDN devised to overcome impossible odds. It’s a story about the politics of fear and the consequences of a government that tries to muzzle its citizens. It is also a searing, heartbreaking, and ultimately triumphant story of the power of coming out, building a movement, and political savvy. Mission Possible shows that overcoming the odds is both possible and essential.

GUEST: Dixon Osburn
https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Possible-Story-Repealing-Dont/dp/173748241X/ref=nodl_

Queer Voices airs in Houston Texas on 90.1FM KPFT and is heard as a podcast here.  Queer Voices hopes to entertain as well as illuminate LGBTQ issues in Houston and beyond.  Check out our socials at:

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