After fighting German forces in WWII and fighting “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” stateside, the only thing 100-year-old Rupert “Twink” Starr needs to be fighting off now is gift wrap.
The openly gay veteran was overjoyed at his century-birthday bash in Columbus, Ohio, reports NBC4.
“I think it is outstanding, 100th birthday with all these friends,” Starr said. “I enjoyed this so much. I’d like to do this every year.
“Such a good group of friends, I can’t believe they’ve taken the time and the energy to come to wish me a happy birthday and sing happy birthday. It’s overwhelming.”
Related: President Biden overturns the ban on transgender military personnel
The veteran has more than earned his long, celebrated life.
Twink was in just his early 20s when he was taken captive during a risky maneuver at the Battle of the Bulge. After four long months as a German prisoner of war, he was liberated by allies.
He was eventually awarded a Bronze Star for his bravery and honorably discharged. Back home, he met and promptly fell for charming interior designer Allan Wingfield in 1954. The pair were happily together for the rest of Wingfield’s life.
In 2004, Twink vocally joined the fight against the homophobic “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military policy instated by the Clinton administration, appearing in multiple gay veteran documentaries and even Grand Marshalling Columbus Pride in ’09.
Related: Navy veteran discharged over sexuality is to get confiscated medal returned
Twink’s celebration featured a rainbow layered cake, with a cute rainbow-laden cap for the man of honor.
With all these years of bravely standing up in his history, it was finally time for everyone else to stand up for him — to sing “Happy Birthday”, that is.
Now we’d just like to him to tell us how he got that nickname.
johncp56
XOXOXO thank you for the smile,
scotty
thanks for your “service” sir.
bachy
Modern American hero!
Ronbo
It’s good for Queerty to actually acknowledge that it was OUR Democratic leadership who instituted specific anti-LGBTQ policies denying us our First Amendment and marriage rights. Remember history where “only Nixon could open up China” and now Queerty has finally acknowledged that our New Democrats pushed, passed and signed actual limits to our rights – cooperating with Republicans.
I’ve been a life-long Democratic voter and remember how the “New Democrat” Clinton brought almost exclusively Republican economic and social policy – DADT, DOMA, NAFTA, ending federal welfare for citizens and increaing corporate welfare. New Democrats are merely moderates, neoliberals and Republicans who could not get elected as Republicans.
Guess the name of the new conservative Republican who is being groomed as our possible Democratic President or VP candidate – rhymes with Biz Cheney!?! Yes a moderate mockingbird network AKA “correct the record” is echoing how moving further right on both economic and social issues is how to win. A Democratic win for neoliberal policies is just a win for moderates, conservatives and Republicans.
Don’t buy into manufactured political propaganda. The Guardian reported that the Inflation Reduction Act sends the majority of the money to Oil/Coal/Gas Corporations – almost all to corporations and very, very little to help the environment, poor and suffering.
The I.R.A. helps those who can already afford a new EV selling above list with tax-credit selling $54,000 – after federal tax credits! And understand that the credit is not a rebate … you have to make a huge income to even be able to utilize the credit. My rebate expired before I could get a tax credit – so know that the average car out of pocket is $61.500!!!
Our party dumped the popular components of BBB that helped working people via another New Democrat, Manchin, and gave corporations the bulk. Just because Democratic leadership are not Republicans, doesn’t mean that they are here to help us. When both the R and D politicians write policy, the left is left out.
Until we bring pressure for Democrats to ACT on protecting choice and equality – our elderly established Democrats will just fund-raise on our rights instead of enshrining them into law. Call your D politicians and ask how many times they have had the option of voting for such legislation. If the establishment leadership has not given choice and eqaulity a vote, are they really on our side(?) – or just slightly better than the crazy Republicans. Biz Cheney voted 97% with tRump and the NYT is telling Democrats that she is an attractive option. For whom?
white-queer-african
@Ronbo, Thank u, NOT, for your rambling B.S.
Happy Birthday Twink.
Diplomat
Interesting take and this was far from rambling. With corruption being center stage to resolve, it would be good to follow all that money you say is going into the wrong pockets. We rarely ever track the money of these high dollar deals.
GayEGO
Congratulations to our gay community for standing up for what is right. I am a gay veteran who met my partner of 57 years, married 15 years, when I was in the Navy in Boston. I was honorably discharged as I followed the rule, never mix business with pleasure!
monty clift
What a wonderful spirit and handsome man. It is good to see gay veterans being treated with respect, as they should be.
Velvetalex
This man needs to protected at all costs.