How the documentary started
There are countless heroes among LGBTQ+ service members in the U.S. military—some well-known, others remembered only by themselves. Their service forms the foundation upon which our future is built.
During the planning of the 2016 AVER National Convention in Albuquerque, a decision was made to capture the voices of our members, especially our senior veterans, before those stories were lost. AVER President Steve Loomis reached out to the University of New Mexico’s Journalism and Mass Media Department. The department chair connected him with sophomore Jose Rodriguez, who was eager to support the project.
Jose attended the convention and began filming interviews using a brief set of starter questions. By the end of the event, he had recorded over 35 powerful testimonies from gay veterans about their time in the military.
As these interviews were reviewed, it became clear they revealed a rich and deeply personal history of LGBTQ+ service in the armed forces. The decision was made to turn this material into a full documentary, told in the veterans' own words. A volunteer production team—Steve Loomis, Steph Patten, Jose Rodriguez, and Ron Freeney—was assembled, and a historical narrative was developed, spanning from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
The Long Determination documents this legacy of service against long odds. It offers both a record of past perseverance and a source of inspiration for future generations, even in increasingly challenging times. These stories of silence, courage, sacrifice, and resistance are vital chapters in the fight for equality and recognition.
Some served quietly, concealing who they were. Others were outed and forced to confront bigotry and hatred alone. But their determination never wavered. It began before the founding of the nation and continues today.
Names like Friedrich von Steuben, Albert Cashier, Frank Kameny, Miriam Ben-Shalom, Leonard Matlovich, Margarethe Cammermeyer, Barry Winchell, Harvey Milk, James Darby, Mike Mullin, Eric Alva, and Pete Buttigieg shine brightly among our community's constellation of heroes.
From von Steuben at the birth of the United States to modern LGBTQ+ service members in the Middle East, our story includes landmark events: the integration of Black soldiers, the Stonewall uprising, the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy and its repeal, the legalization of same-sex marriage, and the ongoing battle for transgender Americans to serve openly. All of it is woven into the fabric of our shared history.
The Long Determination is more than a documentary. It is a call to carry these stories forward. It reminds us that each of us has a role in telling this history and in continuing the fight for dignity, justice, and the right to serve, even when times are hard.
Meet Our Team
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Steve Loomis
PRODUCER
Lieutenant Colonel Steve Loomis served his country as a gay Army veteran. He graduated from the University of New Mexico. He entered service as a private and was commissioned a Lieutenant, Infantry in 1969. In Vietnam as an Infantry Platoon Leader, he was awarded the Bronze Star for valor, a Purple Heart and Air Medal. When he returned home, he served as a unit Commander and plans staff officer for the defense of South Korea. He was selected for promotion to Colonel and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 1995 before being discharged as gay. He is National President Emeritus of American Veterans for Equal Rights. He saw the need for a history of LBGTQ+ service to their country. As Producer he wrote, narrated and encouraged completion of “The Long Determination, The Untold Story of LGBTQ+ Military Service.”
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Jose Rodriguez-Cole
DIRECTOR
Jose Rodriguez-Cole is a documentary filmmaker with a passion for LGBTQ+ stories and advocacy. He earned both his MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Film Production from the University of New Mexico, where he first learned about American Veterans for Equal Rights and the historic repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. While not a veteran himself, Jose was inspired to film and direct The Long Determination out of deep respect for those who serve—especially the veterans in his family.
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Steph Patten
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Petty Officer 2nd class Stephani Patten served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Thankfully was never assigned duty in or around Vietnam. While on active duty, served as a dental prosthetic technician at the Naval Regional Dentel Center for the 7 th Fleet in San Diego. On Reserve duty, was assigned to a Seabee unit in San Diego as both a correspondence officer and as a corpsman. Steph joined the American Veterans for Equal Rights, Bataan Chapter in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2007. Served as president, vice president and secretary for the chapter while being the AVER National Membership Chair and IT specialist. Served on the national board for 12 years. In addition to being an Associate Producer for The Long Determination, Steph has fulfilled the functions as the Music Director (all original music), Editor, Executive Producer, Graphics Artist, and Research. This project has been a labor of love, but am glad it is done. It is a story that needs to be out in the public.
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Ron Freeny
TREASURER
[Bio Here] -
Adan Garcia
SENIOR EDITOR
Adan Garcia has been in the video production industry for over 35 years. He attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where he earned his Associates degree. He attended Bowling Green State University earning a Bachelor’s in Communication. He continued his education earning a Master’s in Education, specializing in technology. He worked at ABC news station in Toledo, Ohio before going to work at PBS. While at PBS, Adan collaborated on many different productions including Jim Lehrer News Hour. Adan moved to New Mexico and taught at the University of New Mexico before working at the Albuquerque Museum. He also produced and directed independent documentaries. He earned over 15 video awards for his work as a producer, editor, and videographer. -
Tom Holland
MUSIC PRODUCER
Songwriter since the 1970s. with connections to what is now the Setnor School of music at Syracuse University, the Eastman School of Music and Grogkill Studio in Woodstock New York. Several CDs recorded, the last being a solo effort with performances of friends titled "Dirt in the Bloodstream". Now a member of the Albuquerque performing quartet Kaleidoscope and continues to write new material, including "Hiding No More" for the documentary The Long Determination.