The Tom Swann Story: For a Greater Good
Play the Marines Hymn’ – The U.S. Marine Corps Song
Read how he and the ACLU took on the Navy and won!
Tom Swann Hernandez Salutes John Dalton on the 30th Anniversary of his lawsuit
Praise for Tom and his book
David L. Schaub
Former Pentagon Executive Officer
1993 Alpha Squad Member
“When the disappointment of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” came, it came hard. Tom had already become a lightning rod for U.S. Navy contempt and wrath. If you take on the military, you had best be ready for the fight of your life.
“Tom knew that, and accepted the challenge of his life. Even after he was fired and unemployed, and sick with AIDS, he continued to fight-and miraculously won. This book reminds us that no cost is too high and no struggle too great to achieve equality in our society.”
“Tom knew that, and accepted the challenge of his life. Even after he was fired and unemployed, and sick with AIDS, he continued to fight-and miraculously won. This book reminds us that no cost is too high and no struggle too great to achieve equality in our society.”Order The Tom Swann Story:
For a Greater Good
Library of Congress Number: 2004540172
Best Value – Check or Money Order
Cost: $25.00 (includes shipping)California residents add $1.40 sales tax
Make check payable to: Tom Swann-Hernandez
| Send order to: | Tom Swann-Hernandez PO Box 499 Rancho Mirage CA 92270 |
Contact Tom Swann-Hernandez:
tom@tomswannhernandez.com
Read The Introduction of the Book
Introduction
I wrote this book because you and I both need some inspiration from time to time in a tough world.
I am the last federal employee to have his access to classified information challenged by the government based on being a homosexual.
Our ACLU case resulted in the Secretary of the Department of the Navy adding sexual orientation protection for all civilian employees, over 250,000 workers.
Whether you support these policies or not, they are permanent and historic.
The fact that two individuals, an ACLU counsel and a man living alone with advanced AIDS accomplished this, is inspiring. It means you can dream the impossible dream and it can happen. First, believe in the person you see when you stand in front of a mirror.
A lot has been said about President Bill Clinton and Rep. Barney Frank on the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.” Some people dislike them immensely. I personally suffered because gays were not liberated in 1993. Since then I have given awards to both of them. I gave them awards because I feel we did our best in 1993-94 and we must move the agenda forward.
So fix “Don’t ask, don’t tell” but don’t look back; gaze to the forward horizon.
You cannot be a beacon of hope to others unless your light shines. So keep the light of hope burning within and radiate it out to others.
This book is about healing wounds. The names of most Navy officials have been changed. We need to learn together how to make this a better more equal society. You do this through education. You cannot educate if you embarrass people.
We were striving for a Greater Good. We believed in the cause of liberation, justice and equality more than the Navy believed in outdated stereotypes and homophobia. We knew our cause was right.
When you have a higher purpose, a Greater Good and persevere you ultimately prevail.
Thomas A. Swann
June 2003
I am the last federal employee to have his access to classified information challenged by the government based on being a homosexual.
Our ACLU case resulted in the Secretary of the Department of the Navy adding sexual orientation protection for all civilian employees, over 250,000 workers.
Whether you support these policies or not, they are permanent and historic.
The fact that two individuals, an ACLU counsel and a man living alone with advanced AIDS accomplished this, is inspiring. It means you can dream the impossible dream and it can happen. First, believe in the person you see when you stand in front of a mirror.
A lot has been said about President Bill Clinton and Rep. Barney Frank on the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.” Some people dislike them immensely. I personally suffered because gays were not liberated in 1993. Since then I have given awards to both of them. I gave them awards because I feel we did our best in 1993-94 and we must move the agenda forward.
So fix “Don’t ask, don’t tell” but don’t look back; gaze to the forward horizon.
You cannot be a beacon of hope to others unless your light shines. So keep the light of hope burning within and radiate it out to others.
This book is about healing wounds. The names of most Navy officials have been changed. We need to learn together how to make this a better more equal society. You do this through education. You cannot educate if you embarrass people.
We were striving for a Greater Good. We believed in the cause of liberation, justice and equality more than the Navy believed in outdated stereotypes and homophobia. We knew our cause was right.
When you have a higher purpose, a Greater Good and persevere you ultimately prevail.
Thomas A. Swann
June 2003
Don't miss the LGBTQ Veterans Memorial Website:
Founder and Post Commander:
Gallery
U.S. Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts presents an award to Tom Swann
Tom with Navy Secretary John Dalton
Feature story Los Angeles Daily News July 1993
First bookstore sale of For a Greater Good
Outside Point Mugu Missile Test Center Ventura County CA July 1993
Jim Darby, late Venerable Morris Kight, Tom, Patricia Nell Warren and Pat Bova in 2001
