Dave Guy-Gainer
Dave Guy-Gainer, who was a leading local advocate for the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” died unexpectedly at his home in Forest Hill on Thursday.
Guy-Gainer was 63. A public memorial will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Legacy of Love monument on Cedar Springs Road at Oak Lawn Avenue.
Guy-Gainer, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant who came out after leaving the service, was a member of the board of Equality Texas and a founding board member of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. He worked tirelessly for the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” He also ran unsuccessfully in 2010 for the City Council in Forest Hill, a small town in Tarrant County south of Fort Worth.
Guy-Gainer was invited to the White House for the DADT repeal legislation signing ceremony.
“Chiefs don’t cry, but the allergens were very high in that room,” Guy-Gainer said later of the ceremony. “You couldn’t help but shed a tear in there. It was just such an overwhelming feeling of weight being lifted and equality finally happening.”
At a DADT repeal party in September 2011 at Resource Center Dallas, he donated boxes of papers releated to DADT to the Phil Johnson Library. Throughout the repeal process, he was the local media contact who made sense of it all.
The circumstances of Guy-Gainer’s death couldn’t immediately be confirmed, but he is believed to have committed suicide.
His partner David Guy said funeral arrangements are pending but there will be a full honor military funeral.
Read statements on Guy-Gainer’s passing from SLDN and Stonewall Democrats below:
SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis released the following statement:
David Guy-Gainer’s death is a crushing and heartbreaking loss for his husband David, his family, for so many loved ones, and for our LGBT community. Dave was a big and wonderful guy with a huge heart. He gave much more than just his time and money; he gave of himself, putting all his energies into the people and causes he cared about. The SLDN board, Military Advisory Council, and staff are all deeply saddened by Dave’s death, but we will always cherish his invaluable contributions – including the many times he came to Washington to lobby for DADT repeal and the pride he took in speaking up against discrimination of LGBT people. Dave was simply determined and dedicated to make things better for the next generation, and he did. I am grateful Dave got to see the end of DADT and was able to cheer on proud, young service men and women serving openly without fear of being fired by their country because of who they are.
Stonewall Democrats had this to say:
It is with great sadness and broken heart that I must tell you we lost a local hero in the fight for equality, Chief Master Sargent Dave Gainer, USAF (Ret) AKA “Chief.”
He served his country for 23 years in the Air Force and continued his service to our county to end the policy of banning gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. He was on the national board of Service Member’s Legal Defense Network and worked on the board for Equality Texas because of his committed belief in equality for ALL.
CMSgt Gainer was in attendance when President Barack Obama signed the DADT Repeal Act of 2010. When DADT repeal was fully implemented in September 2011, there was a celebration during our SDD General meeting commemorating this event. I never served in the military, but I was proud to be with Veterans straight and gay celebrating that night.
During our event he told us that a new fight was on: to end the Defense of Marriage Act and to ensure that a fully inclusive Employee Non-Discrimination Act not leaving our transgendered brothers & sisters behind both pass.
He will be missed but his legacy will live on in those that he influenced.
Guy-Gainer appeared a number of times of Lambda Weekly. Listen to his last appearance here. Guy-Gainer is survived by his husband, David Guy, and his daughter, Brie.
Dave will live on in the hearts of SO many of us who had the privilege of working with him for justice, worshiping with him in church or synagogue, and laughing with him on absolutely every occasion. His smile was mischievous and infectious. His heart was large. Dave is leading the rainbow color guard with love and pride all the way from Texas up the stairway to Heaven.
Our entire community owes Dave our gratitude for the many years of dedicated service he gave to advance equality. This is a tremendous loss. My heart goes out to his husband David and it is my sincere hope that he finds peace and comfort in the weeks and months ahead.
Thank you Dave, R.I.P.
Dave, you were a true “Chief” and it was my honor to call you (an Air Force jock) “Shipmate” . Your service to the GLBTQ community was as honorable and committed as your service to our country.. We (all of us) owe you that gratitude. David, my heart and prayers are with you and, as Jeff has said, it is also my sincere hope that you find peace and comfort in the weeks and months ahead.
On behalf of the National Board and the members of American Veterans for Equal Rights, I wish to express my sadness on the passing of Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Dave Guy-Gainer. Dave served AVER as an officer and was a founding member of SLDN. Dave devoted his time, money, and energies into seeing DADT repealed. He was one of the first people to congratulate me on my election as AVER National President, and his counsel was greatly appreciated. It was such a wonderful honor to hug Dave and share the victory of the repeal signing ceremony in Washington. America is a freer and stronger nation because of his dedication. He helped the United States become true to ourselves in honoring equality for all Americans and our commitment to genuine justice and liberty for all our citizens. AVER joins LGBT veterans and members of our community in giving thanks for the life of this great patriot and devoted veteran. We will miss him dearly, but we are all better people and a greater nation for his selfless efforts and dedication to the cause of justice for the defenders of our sacred liberty. David, thank you for sharing him with the rest of us. I know how great a sacrifice that can be. Thank you. And to you Dave, you have done your duty well. Thank you for your service. Sir, you stand relieved.
Air Force Cops don’t cry – – but the allergens are very high in this room right now. Thanks Dave and David for all you have done and will continue to do watching over us.
As a retired Navy Chief, Dave & I always had a friendly dispute who was the “real chief.” There’s no doubt Dave was a true chief and I will forever treasure him and his mancomunidad.
David, you’re in our hearts.
STATEMENT ON THE LOSS OF CMSgt DAVE GAINER (USAF, Ret.)
CMSgt Dave Gainer, USAF (Ret.) passed away on Thursday. The loss has impacted the LGBT and Veteran Communities.
He served for 23 years in the Air Force and continued his service to our county to end the policy of banning gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. He was on the national board of Service Member’s Legal Defense Network and worked with Equality Texas because of his committed belief in equality for ALL.
In December 2010, CMSgt Gainer was in attendance when President Barack Obama signed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) Repeal Act of 2010. Commenting on that event CMSgt Gainer had this to say: “Chiefs don’t cry, but the allergens were very high in that room. You couldn’t help but shed a tear in there. It was just such an overwhelming feeling of weight being lifted and equality finally happening.”
When DADT repeal was fully implemented in September 2011, there was a celebration at the Dallas Resource Center commemorating this event. I was proud to be standing with my fellow Veterans and as a fierce advocate for the LGBT Community celebrating this history making occasion.
At that event he told us that a new fight was on: to end the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure that an all inclusive Employee Non-Discrimination Act for the Transgender Community is passed.
On Saturday evening, there was a Candle Light Memorial at the Monument of Love in Dallas where we reflected on the life of an outstanding human being.
Our condolences and support are with his husband David Guy, his family, and countless friends as they try to get through this difficult event. Mr. Guy has requested that in lieu of flowers, a donation is made to the following:
Forum on the Military Chaplaincy
c/o Cathedral of Hope
5910 Cedar Springs Road
Dallas, TX 75235
He was addressed as “Chief” and lived up to that title. We are without our Chief and saddened by his departure.
He will be missed but his legacy will live on in those that he influenced.
Michael Watts
Chair, Texas Young Democrats Veterans-Military Affairs Caucus
US Navy Veteran 2002-08
https://michaels-rant.blogspot.com/2012/02/statement-on-loss-of-cmsgt-dave-gainer.html
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