<p>Retired Marine Staff Sergeant Eric Alva shares his powerful story of coming out as a gay man in the armed forces as well as his ardent advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the workplace.</p><p>The first American soldier injured in the Iraq War, Eric was hailed as an American hero. While he lost his leg in combat, his spirit remained stronger than ever — upon retirement, Eric came out as gay. As a former spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, he played an instrumental role in the repeal of the military’s "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gay, lesbian and bisexual service members, working with members of Congress to end the discriminatory practice. </p><p>As a gay man, disabled veteran, and U.S. citizen of Hispanic and Native American heritage, Eric knows about overcoming obstacles and navigating complex intersectionality. Drawing on his battle for equality in the military on behalf of the LGBTQ community, he discusses how that experience supports the momentum for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and how a commitment to equality attracts talent, builds a sense of belonging, and creates a competitive advantage.</p><p>Eric’s overall story of courage and triumph over adversity inspires audiences to create change by doing the right thing, stand up for what they believe, and make the world a better place for those who deserve to be treated with dignity.</p>
Iraq War veteran, LGBTQ rights activist, and diversity advocate
<ul><li><strong>The End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"</strong></li><li>An Iraq War veteran and gay rights activist, Eric Alva discusses his role in the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and what it meant to stand next to President Barack Obama as he signed the law. By using his own experiences as an example, he discusses difficulties faced by gays and lesbians serving in the military, and he urges audiences to support the LGBT community members who serve our country.</li><li><strong>Overcoming Obstacles</strong></li><li>A powerful inspirational speaker, Eric Alva discusses his battle to overcome his injuries and other difficulties he encountered after leaving military life. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of PTSD, Alva understands the importance of prioritizing mental wellness. Sharing advice and stories from his own personal journey—from learning to walk with a prosthetic to continuing his education and getting his degree—Alva emphasizes that by doing the right thing, studying hard, working hard, and practicing self-care, life’s obstacles can be conquered</li><li><strong>The Military Tradition</strong></li><li>In this speech aimed towards veterans groups, Eric Alva discusses his positive experiences in the military, and the sense of patriotism that unifies all men and women who are serving and have served their country. He emphasizes how the military and its traditions help to make people stronger individuals, and the positive effects the military has had on his life.</li></ul>