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outinnationalsecurity.org
Out In National Security
@outinnationalsecurity.org
1.5K followers 1.3K following 440 posts
A non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to empowering queer national security professionals.

OutInNationalSecurity.org
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outinnationalsecurity.org
We're happy to host a virtual Career Pivot Panel from 6:00 - 7:30 PM ET on Monday, November 10, 2025.

Join us to hear from our panelists, who have built expertise in diverse fields as career coaches. RVSP here and we'll see you there.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
November 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Feeling the impact of the shutdown? Need community and caffeine? ☕
Join us this Thursday for our ONS Furloughed Coffee Hour, a casual space to connect, share, and support one another.

📅 Thursday, Oct 23 | 11 AM–1 PM ET
📍 Doubles | 3118 Georgia Ave NW, DC
Feeling the impact of the shutdown? Need community and caffeine? ☕ Join us this Thursday for our ONS Furloughed Coffee Hour — a casual space to connect, share, and support one another. 📅 Thursday, Oct 23 | 11 AM–1 PM ET 📍 Doubles | 3118 Georgia Ave NW, DC All LGBTQIA+ professionals across the national security community are welcome. #LGBTQIA #PublicService #DC #CommunityCare
October 21, 2025 at 1:31 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
At Impact Maryland in Baltimore today, leaders from government, education, and business came together to talk about service, resilience, and the strength of community.

#OutInNatSec #ImpactMaryland #PublicService #LGBTQIA
text: “Impact Maryland conference stage with blue lighting and ‘Impact Maryland’ branding.”
October 14, 2025 at 11:04 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
“Visibility, courage, and community keep service honest — and public trust strong.” 🌈

Proud of our community and partners who carry this forward every day.

#OutInNatSec #Leadership #PublicService
Rainbow colored image with white text "National Coming Out Day: Visibility Still Mattters October 11 I #COINS"
October 13, 2025 at 7:17 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Join ONS and the Brandywine Valley SPCA for a special event! The SPCA is bringing therapy dogs and dogs ready for adoption to Dacha Navy Yard location this Saturday, starting at 12:00 PM. RVSP below!

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
An infographic with a group of pride-themed therapy dogs and text on a dark blue background that reads "Paws & Pride: Saturday, July 12 I 12:00 PM Dacha Navy Yard"
July 7, 2025 at 11:57 AM
outinnationalsecurity.org
A rainbow colored background with the caption “never forget the 49” followed by a list of the names of the victims of the pulse nightclub shooting
June 12, 2025 at 9:50 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Come rain or shine, we’re here at World Pride!

Booth G213 right by the Canadian Embassy!
A photo of an Asian American man and woman holding umbrellas on a street in a festival
June 8, 2025 at 4:32 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Happy #VEDay

Today reminds us of the cost of liberty. We proudly remember those who served and those who never came home.
Two U.S. Army officers in an intimate pose Enlisted sailors kissing Sailors, kissing
May 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Join ONS staff, friends, community members and others tonight at DuPont Italian Kitchen starting at 8:00 PM for karaoke
Front of a restaurant named “DuPont Italian kitchen,”
April 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Join us and our many partners this Friday morning at 10 AM at McPherson Square.

Our CEO, @lfschleusener.bsky.social, will join others in speaking.
A sign that reads “veteran visibility rally“ at McPherson Square in Washington DC on Friday, March 28 at 10:00 AM
March 25, 2025 at 7:16 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Five years ago today, our original cofounders, @rusty.digital , @lfschleusener.bsky.social , and @sskelly.bsky.social were able to make one last field trip out to HKS before the world stopped
A photo of two men and a woman in front of a sign that reads Harvard Kennedy Institute of politics
March 6, 2025 at 1:49 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Yesterday, our CEO, @lfschleusener.bsky.social joined @markey.senate.gov, Minority Vets, the Modern Military Association of America, @hrc.org and others in support of the Baldwin Amendment to strip this language from the NDAA
A photograph of US Sen. Ed Markey, an elderly white man in a blue suit, surrounded by a multiracial group of advocates, holding signs that read “vote to protect trans kids” and “support military families.” Standing in front of the US Capitol
December 18, 2024 at 1:30 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
This #GivingTuesday don't forget to support our work.

In the year ahead, we plan to defend the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community from a hostile administration, and we can't do it without you.

givebutter.com/tGEHAH
December 3, 2024 at 3:54 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
#HappyThanksgiving
Thomas Nast, “Uncle Sam’s Thanksgiving Dinner,” in Harper’s Weekly (November 20, 1869) which depicts freedom, equality, and universal suffrage with a diverse group of Americans seated around a table enjoying a meal. Portraits of Lincoln, Washington, and Grant adorn the wall and look on
November 28, 2024 at 1:54 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Today, we remember transgender people lost to anti-trans violence this year and in years past. We honor their memories and continue to work towards a world safe for transgender people.
November 20, 2024 at 7:50 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Happy #NCOD to all our friends and allies.
A national coming out a graphic with the text. “if you feel safe to come out, we welcome your story. Don’t feel pressure to come out if you’re not ready or not in a safe place to do so. If you’re still on your journey to coming out, know that you’re seen, loved, and supported. We will be here when you need us.“ We first observed National coming out day on October 11, 1988, on the anniversary of the national March on Washington for lesbian and right as a reminder that one of our most basic tools is the power of coming out.
October 11, 2024 at 5:37 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Today, we honor the service of our nation’s #LGBTQIAPlus veterans.

Today marks anniversary of the hateful and reactionary “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

Yeah, we should pause and reflect on the progress we have made and the many challenges that remain.
Graphic expressing the text above
September 20, 2024 at 10:27 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Our next happy hour will be on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 6:00-8:00 PM at the Admiral in Dupont Circle. Join us next week and get to know fellow members of the ONS community. We look forward to seeing you there! No RSVP required.
Image reflects text above
September 20, 2024 at 4:56 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Extremism attacks in Congress threaten the ability of trans service members and dependence access to healthcare.

Call TODAY (202) 224-3121) and urge them to oppose gender affirming care bans in the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
LGBTQ plus service members, veterans, and military families are under attack Throughout history, LGBTQIA plus service members, veterans, and their loved ones have endured hateful policies, such as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and the ban on transgender military service that created a culture of harassment and discrimination. In spite of it all, LGBTQIA plus people have continued to serve with honor, courage, and distinction. But once again, these communities face threats in Congress that politicize their existence and deny them access to critical healthcare. All people – including military and veteran families – deserve freedom to live full and healthy lives. Join us and pledge to be the generation that ends these extremist attacks. 1. Make a call 2. Recruit your friends. 3. Support LGBTQ plus Veterans Day. Join the fight to end hate
September 17, 2024 at 7:47 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Two people swaying slowly
Nothing more and nothing less
Why anybody fears that is anybody’s guess
I just wanna dance with you
A rainbow colored graphic with a black band across it with the caption reading "Remembering the 49 Angels June 12, 2016" The Angels are: Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old Amanda L. Alvear, 25 years old Oscar A. Aracena Montero, 26 years old Rodolfo Ayala Ayala, 33 years old Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old Angel Candelario-Padro, 28 years old Juan Chavez Martinez, 25 years old Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old Cory James Connell, 21 years old Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old Simón Adrian Carrillo Fernández, 31 years old Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old Peter Ommy Gonzalez Cruz, 22 years old Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old Frank Hernandez, 27 years old Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old Javier Jorge Reyes, 40 years old Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, 25 years old
June 12, 2024 at 12:45 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
Washingtonian Magazine recently named our CEO @lfschleusener.bsky.social as one of the 500 most influential people shaping policy! 

This list considers experts and advocates outside of government who help shape the policy debate on a range of issues.

www.washingtonian.com/2024/05/02/w...
Magazine cover of “Washingtonian” displaying 8 people and titled “The 400 Most Influential People Shaping Policy” A photograph of a white man in a suit and tie with the caption “Lucas Schleusener Out in National Security Cofounder & CEO” Schleusener leads an LGBTQIA+ professional association focused on making the sprawling national-security enterprise more equitable and inclusive through changes to law, custom, and policy. Lesson from his first job (as a summer-camp counselor): “Make sure everyone has had lunch or a snack before making big decisions.” What he’d tell his 18-year-old self: “Be yourself—everyone else is already taken.” Last meal would be: Spicy cumin lamb noodles.
June 6, 2024 at 3:34 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
We look forward to seeing you at Shakers on 5/16 at 6:30 p.m. for a mixer with allied and partnered organizations. We will discuss the List and share a major announcement.

Tell your friends, bring your colleagues!
May 10, 2024 at 2:11 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
New America and ONS are proud to release the application for this year’s LGBTQIA+ Out Leadership List and Out New Voices List!

All submissions are due by 11:59PM EST on May 26, 2024.

Apply here and share widely: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
April 16, 2024 at 1:00 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
ONS staff and our advisory board member were able to attend a screening of “Fellow Travelers” yesterday evening at the MPAA office. We got the meet the star of the show and discuss our work.
Group photo with star Matt Bomer
February 7, 2024 at 12:50 PM
outinnationalsecurity.org
On this day four years ago, we partnered with CAP for a conference on the national security polices and the First 100 Days on what a diverse, equitable, and inclusive administration could look like and how it could serve ALL Americans.
Photo of four people with a sign that reads “Out in National Security” Placard for conference
January 15, 2024 at 9:45 PM