The Edward Clayton Story

Having grown up in the deep south during the racial turbulence of the 1960's, Edward Clayton is no stranger to the issue of discrimination. As a child he witnessed the inequalities of racial segregation and the brutality of the struggle for equality as it played out on the streets of Birmingham, Alabama. As a fifth grade student in the small rural community of Leeds, fate placed Edward unwittingly on the front lines of the battle for the desegregation of Alabama's public schools. It was not until nearly a decade later, however, that a twist of fate found Edward himself experiencing the life-altering effects of institutionalized discrimination.

As a young high school student Edward struggled with the realities of growing up during the "sexual revolution" of the 70's in a politically conservative and deeply religious southern state. During his teen years he attended the local Methodist Church and for a brief time considered a career in the ministry. He was forced to abandon those considerations, however, after he posed a question during a youth bible study meeting which led to a counseling session with his minister.

During this counseling, Edward spoke of the seemingly continual fluctuation of his feelings and attractions toward both genders of his peers and expressed concerns over church doctrine relating to those feelings. Following that session, Edward's minister informed his parents of their son's disclosure and after weeks of turmoil and sometimes hostile dialogue, Edward was asked to leave the church. Because of this revelation he was also asked not to return to local Boy Scout Troop 229 where he was a Senior Patrol Leader, a member of the "Order of the Arrow" fraternity, and was on the verge of meeting requirements to be awarded the prestigious Eagle Scout Badge.

Following high school graduation Edward moved on to college where he majored in voice and theater while at the same time working as a radio disc jockey and entertainer throughout central Mississippi. After a brief marriage, Edward found himself swept up in the patriotic fervor brought about by the Ronald Regan presidency and decided to serve his country. In August of 1983, Edward followed in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

During the first three years of his enlistment, Edward was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Silver Star, was meritoriously promoted three times, and was investigated and cleared for a TOP SECRET security clearance. In addition to receiving numerous commendations and honors, he was also awarded a coveted spot on the award winning First Marine Aircraft Wing silent drill team, "TAPS". Edward's chain of command also rated him with the highest possible proficiency and conduct ratings for five consecutive reporting periods.

Because of his exemplary record and dedication to duty, Edward was granted an early reenlistment wavier by Headquarters Marine Corps and guaranteed a billet in the Enlisted Commissioning Program which would result in the obtainment of an Officer's Commission upon completion of his new enlistment contract. On May 8, 1987 he was ceremoniously reenlisted for an additional six year tour of duty, promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and assigned to remain with the First Marine Aircraft Wing in Iwakuni, Japan.

Fate, however, would once again intervene. Just four months after his early reenlistment, Edward's world was rocked to it's foundation when he was arrested, interrogated, jailed, and eventually discharged for what the Naval Investigative Service (NIS) termed, "...discovered involvement in homosexual activity". This investigation and resulting discharge was initiated not because of any misconduct or criminal activity on Edward's part but was based solely on a third party statement that Edward was involved in an intimate relationship with another male Marine.

For nearly two months Edward was held in confinement while the military investigated charges that he was homosexual and had enlisted fraudulently. On a daily basis he was questioned, threatened with court-marshal, and verbally abused but remained steadfast in his refusal to name other military personnel who were gay or lesbian. Even though his confinement was termed as "protective custody" he was repeatedly assaulted, both physically and sexually, on numerous occasions.

After one particularly brutal assault at Camp Pendleton, Edward was informed by a fellow prisoner that the man who had just raped him had AIDS. Edward immediately reported this to the Marine Corps JAG Officer who had been assigned as his attorney only to be denied the opportunity to file a report or press charges against his attacker. Instead, the discharge process was expedited and hours later, on October 26, 1987, Edward was handed his dishonorable discharge papers and released from service at the back gate of Camp Pendleton, California.

For the past 21 years Edward Clayton has worked tirelessly to educate others on the detrimental effects of discrimination not only on the individual but on the whole of society as well. Meeting with numerous Pentagon officials and Congressmen, and one U.S. President, Edward has spoken out urging the passage of laws which guarantee every American citizen the opportunity to serve in the United States Armed Forces regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identification.

Edward's experiences while awaiting discharge from the Marine Corps have also been portrayed on the off-Broadway stage by actor/author Mark Wolfe in a highly praised and award winning theatrical production entitled, "Another American, Asking and Telling". The last two decades have also seen Edward Clayton serve in a variety of leadership positions including a term as National President of Gay, Lesbian, & Bisexual Veterans of America.

Outside of his military activism Edward has worked for the event production firm of Miller, Zeichik & Associates where he was Data Processing Manager for AIDS Walk Atlanta and then Office Manager for AIDS Walk Colorado. After the great success he saw during these two events, Edward returned to his home town where he worked as the Program Assistant for the AmeriCorps Program at Birmingham AIDS Outreach. During this time he was also a founding Board Member and President of STARS OVER ALABAMA, an organization of entertainers which raised funds to assist people living with HIV/AIDS with housing and medical expenses. He additionally was retained as a consultant for the formation of Central Alabama Pride, Inc.

After relocating to Hawai'i in 2001, Edward delved into the political arena where he served in a variety of positions with the Democratic Party of Hawai'i. In 2004, he conducted a campaign seeking election to the Hawaii State House of Representatives. Although he did not win in the General Election, he garnered a larger percentage of votes than any previous Democratic candidate had ever received in Hawaii's conservative 50th District. This resulted in his appointment to Co-Chair the Credentials and Registration Committee for the Democratic Party of Hawai'i State Convention in 2006 and his election as Deputy Chair for the O'ahu County Democratic Party.

Over the years, Edward has appeared on numerous local and national radio and television programs speaking for the rights of GLBT citizens to serve in the military. From the steps of the Alabama State Capitol to the National Mall in Washington, DC to the Rotunda of the Hawaii State Capital, Edward has spoken and continues to speak firmly and consistently for repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Speaking from the main rally stage at the Millennium March on Washington in 2000, Edward declared; "One day we, too, will be allowed to serve honestly and openly and without fearing for our lives. Until then, most will continue to serve in silence. But in the end we will come out. We will come out of our wall lockers and into every ground unit, air unit and ship at sea. We will come out of our wall lockers to proclaim that we, too, are loyal and patriotic Americans. We will come out of our wall lockers and establish our God given and constitutional right to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies - foreign and domestic."

Edward currently lives in Waikiki, Hawai'i and works in nearby downtown Honolulu where he is an administrator in the Healthcare Security field. Edward remains actively involved in a wide variety of community service and recreational activities.

In his spare time Edward enjoys horseback riding on O'ahu's eastern shore and attending and photographing the numerous festivals and parades which celebrate the proud history and rich cultural diversity and traditions of the 50th State.