Sergeant Sappho

“Being gay and being in the Army was a never-ending struggle for me. Nothing, and no one was safe, and being on guard continuously for almost ten years left indelible scars. In spite of everything, being a veteran is my proudest identification.”


Sidney K. Lebhart says of her upfront memoir Sergeant Sappho, “I am a lesbian who served in the U.S. Army from 1969 until 1979. This is the story of my career, starting with the trials of basic training. It tells of the places I was stationed, how I became a drill sergeant, and features my loves and losses through the years as I served in secret from an Army determined to destroy the career hopes of gay soldiers.”


Sid describes herself as a child of the fifties and sixties who just wanted to make sense of who she is. A family background of military service led her to believe the Army would be a safe place to grow up and really find herself.


The significant people in this story about her life include Sid’s gay ex-husband whom she describes as “a great, good friend.” Mary Ellen was Sid’s one great love, while Mandy was the gentle love who gave Sid the most precious of gifts: a child.