About
Out in National Security is about bringing our whole selves to the defense of our country.
Who We Are
Out in National Security (ONS) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to empowering queer national security professionals. We build community, secure equality of opportunity, and promote allyship by taking a broad view of the national security enterprise and bridging organizations of excellence to other like-minded groups.
Our Mission
Out in National Security advances our community's interests by seeking outcomes and goals that positively impact the lives of today's and tomorrow's LGBTQIA+ national security practitioners. We strive to:
Our Values
Out in National Security is driven by four core principles. We select opportunities and make organizational decisions with these values in mind.
Inclusivity
We value equality of opportunity and reject hierarchy for the sake of hierarchy. Instead, we aim to work across professional specialities and status valuing ideas, initiative, and energy. Our leaders facilitate rather than govern. We advance the interest of all LGBTQIA+ national security professionals and welcome those with any, or no, political affiliation. We empower and offer guidance and advice directly or to connect others with people who can help.
Focusing on the Future
By focusing on the big picture, we strive to improve the overall health and to elevate the expertise of the community at large. We pursue outcomes and goals that positively and measurably impact the lives of today's and tomorrow's LGBTQIA+ national security practitioners.
Fearlessness
We merge activism and education by speaking fearlessly in defense of LGBTQIA+ rights, connecting like-minded national security practitioners, advancing American interests, and improving American security.
Biased Toward Action
In our professional and personal lives, we are biased towards action over rhetoric. In the past, LGBTQIA+ professionals shaped the American national security landscape behind a veil of prejudice, secrecy, and a social climate preventing us from expressing our authentic selves.
ONS with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks
History
Out in National Security was founded by the shared interests, values, and commitments of Rusty Pickens, Shawn Skelly, and Luke Schleusener in 2018. The basis for the idea began in 2015, with the process that led to the transgender ban under then-Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.
It was premised on a simple observation: the Department of Defense is the single-largest LGBTQIA+ employer in the United States and the Department of Veterans Affairs is the single largest LGBTQIA+ healthcare provider. Despite this, decision were being made without expertise, insight, and input at the highest levels of government.
After a series of listening sessions in 2017 and 2018 with LGBTQIA+ national security professionals, LGBTQIA+ professionals, and LGBTQIA+ advocates, identifying a strategic and material gap that could be filled by a dedicated organization. ONS launched publicly in June 2019 with its first-ever Out Leaders List at the Atlantic Council of the United States, and has played a critical role ever since as a trusted partner, advocate, and community leader.
Lucas F. Schleusener
Chief Executive Officer, ONS
Shawn G. Skelly
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness; Former Vice President, ONS
Rusty Pickens
Chief Administrative Officer, ONS
Coming out in National Security
Being Out in national security is important to the livelihood and acceptance of our LGBTQIA+ security professionals all over the world. To celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 11th, each year we ask our friends and colleagues to join us in a broad social media campaign to highlight just what it means to be an out LGBTQIA+ professional working in the various facets of the national security space.
