First-Ever LGBT Military "Spouse Of The Year" On ELLEN

Matthew and Brian Alvarado with Ellen DeGeneres

Now this is way-super-cool news.

For the first-time ever, a same-sex spouse has been named “Navy Spouse of the Year.”

Named Armed Forces Insurance’s “Navy Spouse of the Year,” Brian Alvarado is husband to U.S. Navy servicemember Matthew Alvarado. Brian is the first same-sex spouse named as a branch winner in the program’s 11-year history.

Thanks to that honor, Ellen welcomed Matthew and Brian Alvarado on her show today.

The Dallas Voice has more details:

According to a press releases from Armed Forces Insurance and Military Spouse magazine, “As a male military spouse in a same-sex, interracial marriage, Alvarado’s recognition illustrates to the world that our military community is a strong, supportive, diverse and resilient community. Like other branch winners, he was nominated for his work in the community as a U.S. naval ombudsman at Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center and volunteer work with Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Professional Network.

“In his role as an ombudsman, he reports to the command leadership and acts as a liaison between the command and the families of the sailors who serve on base. He is also very passionate about his work with Hiring Our Heroes, working to improve the nationwide 16 percent unemployment rate within the military spouse community both on a local and national level.”

The press release notes that Alvarado was named the 2016 Naval Base Coronado Base Spouse of the Year, and has since “lead the conversation on equality within the military community and looks to further promote the Department of Defense’s Equality Initiatives.”

The Alvarados are stationed at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego. Matthew is a 19-year veteran of the Navy.

Brian tells Ellen in the video below that his main focus is working with Hiring Our Heroes which works to help veterans and transitioning military members find work in the civilian workplace.

As part of honoring Brian and Matthew, Ellen donated $10,000 to Hiring Our Heroes.

Brian also shares that Ellen publicly came out during his senior year in high school, and so her visibility as an out and proud lesbian has been an inspiration to him his entire adult life.

Watch below.