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Tyler Bieniek and his husband were legally married in August of 2013. At the time, the Army National Guard captain was out to his fellow members of the Guard, but before that he kept it "close to his chest." 

He didn't talk about personal matters with the other servicemen and women. This was difficult, especially when he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010. Two years after the repeal of 'Don't Ask Don't Tell,' he came out to the other Guard members and his commanding officers. 

He says he was overwhelmed by the support he received.


This is the sixth in a series of conversations with veterans as part of Minnesota's Veterans' Voices Month. Listen to the first five conversations:

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Tyler Bieniek, who served in Afghanistan, says he was overwhelmed by the support he received after telling his fellow Army National Guard members that he's gay.

Veteran comes out, then is heartened by response

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