For those who have not had the privilege of meeting this young man, you are missing out. He has the most charming and genuine nature. Regardless of his age, he has been through more and accomplished more, than most people do over the course of their entire lives. He has shown courage that most of us cannot imagine, and he continues to, as he fights for not only his rights but for the whole GLBT community. This young man served our country with pride and dignity until both were taken away from him while serving in the Middle East. Suspected of being gay, he has been brutally harassed, and what is worse, harassed at the hands of his fellow soldiers. It has been a long path that he never thought he would be walking. Later, a Navy investigation revealed that his superiors committed 93 counts of abuse and 27 violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Under these circumstances Joseph C. Rocha could be a bitter person who not only is discontent with his life but begrudges the Military as a whole. This could not be further from the truth. With a fork in the road in front of him, Joseph C. Rocha decided to turn his tragedy into strength He stands on the frontline fighting for those GLBT who are serving and having to function under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy.” He stands up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. He has been arrested, he has spoken to any media outlet that will listen and he has spoken on behalf of the HRC, Service Members United and the Service Members Legal Defense Network. Joseph is truly one of the brightest, most honorable and moral persons to walk this earth. Despite his busy schedule, he took the time to speak to us about who he is, where he has been and where we wants to go. This Pride, Joseph is being honored as the Champion of Pride. It is well deserved and we all owe him a big thank you for the work he does to ensure we all have our rights.

GLT: How old are you and where did you grow up?

JCR: All over California and I am 24.

GLT: What was it like for you being in the Navy and also being a gay man?

JCR: It was a lot like, hmm… the level of secrecy and duality makes it very difficult. I have so much love and passion for my service. Once I deployed it was even more difficult. When I went to a smaller unit it was twice as difficult. I think the hardest part about being a GLBT person and in the military is that you are denied the things that most other people who serve and are straight take for granted. You are already in a stressful situation, and then not to be able to talk, get letters from friends or the person you love is really hard. The GLBT people that serve our country cannot have relationships with friends and family in the same way their heterosexual counterparts do. They also really cannot be friends with those they serve with, outside of work. So, you end up feeling like you are denying yourself and who you are. You have to hide who you are.

GLT: Where are you most likely to be seen in San Diego?

JCR: The USD library or Mission Beach where I live.

GLT: Do you have a boyfriend?

JCR: No.

GLT: How did the Military react when you came out?

JCR: There was 28 months of documented abuse. I didn’t say that I was gay. It was assumed and that was proof enough. When I had decided to be openly gay I was still asked, in writing, back to the Naval Academy, as long as I retracted my prior statements and declared that I was not gay. It was then that I realized that they had little to offer me. It was the hardest decision that I had to make, and the saddest moment in my life. Even though I was good enough to be asked back to the Academy, and that I had all the skills required, and even though I was sacrificing my life, it did not matter because I was gay and unwilling to deny who I was.

GLT: Without sounding too intrusive, what did you go through while serving and how were you brutally harassed?

JCR: Sure. I was hosed down and tied to chairs. I was force fed dog food. I was left in a dog kennel full of feces, with military dogs. I have been hog tied. I was forced to simulate gay sex on camera along with other forms of humiliation for 28 months, while I was serving in the Middle East. The level of isolation I felt without my loved ones or the freedom to write and talk with people on the phone, like the other service members, made it even worse.

GLT: Can you say who was in charge of letting others do this to you?

JCR: Yes. It was my Senior Chief Toussaint. Along with those who were serving with me.

GLT: What were the repercussions or punishment he faced for letting this go on?

JCR: Five years later the Chief responsible was forced to retire. However, he kept his rank as Chief and retirement pay.

GLT: How do you feel about that?

JCR: I worry that it sets an example. Not only to gay and lesbians but to straight service members as well, and it sets a dangerous precedent. It says we don’t take it that seriously. It sends no warning to others who might be doing the same things that were done to me.

GLT: How has this changed your perspective on the Navy and Armed Forces?

JCR: Honestly, it hasn’t. I regret that I have had to go through what I have gone through. All I care about is repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, and when that happens, serve my country in the honorable way that I should have been allowed to do in the first place.

GLT: What was the turning point that made you decide to come out as gay?

JCR: It was the compounded and extensive abuse that I received without any proof of even being homosexual. I was straight acting and faithful to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. So after all this I am dedicated to repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” so that any man or women who wants to serve in uniform can, without going through what I have.

GLT: Was there ever a point where you were scared for your life?

JCR: When I was in the Middle East, I was confident that I wouldn’t be coming back. It seemed really real and scary to me when the person I was closest to in my unit killed herself. It was the lowest point for me. I was really afraid that this would never reach a resolution. I also felt helpless, considering how far I was from the U.S. It was hard to accept that this was happening from U.S. soldiers and that there was a policy in place to uphold it.

GLT: If I am correct, the Navy wanted you to stay in the U.S. Naval Academy on exemplary qualifications. What were those qualifications?

JCR: They told me basically that I was beyond good enough. However, they had to pretend that I was not gay. They were willing to ignore the Federal law.

GLT: Did you choose an honorable discharge?

JCR: I did not choose or have a choice. That was up to them. I was really worried though, because if they had chosen dishonorable I would have lost all my entitlements, like education, health benefits and VA access. That was at their discretion.

GLT: I know you are you in college. What are you studying and where do you go?

JCR: I go to USD and I am studying Poly Science and Philosophy. However, in the long term I would like to go back into the service in 2011, if the policy is overturned.

GLT: What is your plan if in 2011 the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is not overturned?

JCR: I would advocate for the repeal and law school, I would continue to work like I have done for the last year to make sure that it happens.

GLT: What type of work have you accomplished this last year to ensure “ Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed?

JCR: I have testified on the San Diego City Council to push a resolution that would put the City of San Diego on record as not supporting “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. It was also sent to Obama and Congress, and that passed in San Diego. Senator Kehoe sent a state wide resolution to have “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repealed and I testified for that as well. I have also worked with media outlets such as The Washington Post, Huffington Post, NPR, CNN and Telemundo. Currently, I am participating in the Federal court case on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as well.

GLT: What does your family think about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and are you out to them?

JCR: My family has come a long way. In High School they rejected me and when I was in the Middle East they warmed up to me. They have come full circle and can see the valor our community has.

Joseph, we at The Gay & Lesbian Times thank you for sharing your story with us and your community. Thank you for all the hard work you do to ensure that we are closer to having equal rights.