Eric Alva
Former Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva

UTSA group hosts April 16 lecture by Eric Alva

By Omar Hernandez
Public Affairs Specialist

(April 13, 2009)--The UTSA student organization GLBTQ will host a lecture, "Ask and Tell: A Conversation with Activist and Retired Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva," at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 16 in the University Center Retama Auditorium (2.02.02) on the Main Campus. The event is free and open to the public.

A native San Antonian, Eric Alva was the first American injured in the Iraq War. He was honored with the Purple Heart Medal and received a medical discharge from the military. Alva speaks to audiences across the United States about protecting the rights and freedoms of all Americans.

Recently, he appeared on the cover of Advocate magazine and was named the 2008 Public Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers for his courage in his military career and advocacy for fellow military personnel who are gay.

>> Read more about Eric Alva at the Human Rights Campaign Web site.

For more information, e-mail Charles Miles, GLBTQ president. GLBTQ of UTSA aims to provide a safe space for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those questioning their sexuality and gender. The group is centered on ensuring the welfare of the GLBTQ community and its allies.