"For Klimm, her candidacy is less about symbolism and more about survival - hers, her neighbors', and the country's. "I can't sit by anymore," she told The Advocate. "One of the biggest things you learn in the Marine Corps is you don't leave anyone behind. And I see too many Americans getting left behind right now." Klimm emphasized that her positions are hers and not those of the U.S. military."
"Klimm enlisted at 17, coming of age in a military that ping-ponged through whiplash policies on LGBTQ+ service. She served before, during, and after "don't ask, don't tell," and retired on the very day in 2016 that the Obama administration opened the door for transgender troops to serve openly. Along the way, she says she has mentored women breaking barriers in aviation units and led aircraft maintenance teams at MCAS Miramar in San Diego and Quantico, located just south of Washington, D.C., in Virginia."
Sarah Klimm is a 51-year-old retired U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant and parent of three running for Congress in Pennsylvania's 11th District. Klimm must first win the Democratic primary to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Lloyd Smucker. Klimm frames her candidacy as essential for survival and community support, drawing on Marine Corps principles of not leaving anyone behind. She enlisted at 17, served through shifting LGBTQ+ service policies including "don't ask, don't tell," and retired on the day transgender troops were allowed to serve openly. Post-service, she pursued education at Embry-Riddle and Penn State, mentored veterans, reviewed legislation with Minority Veterans of America, consulted for the VA on LGBTQ-affirmative therapy, and was selected for the Emerge Pennsylvania program in 2025. Klimm emphasizes that her political positions are personal and not representative of the U.S. military.
Read at Advocate.com
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