Lucas F. Schleusener, a Wesleyan '07 graduate and former swimmer, has harnessed his endurance mindset forged through athletics into leadership in the LGBTQIA+ community within national security. As CEO of Out in National Security, he emphasizes the importance of resilience and composure under pressure, characteristics developed during his swimming career. His academic journey at Wesleyan further shaped his critical thinking, interweaving his interests in national security and cultural understanding, which influenced his later work in government. Schleusener's experience underscores the need for trust, collaboration, and effective communication in high-stakes environments, ultimately guiding him to create an organization that bridges advocacy and institutional change.

By the Numbers
  • Founded Out in National Security in 2018 with Shawn Skelly and Rusty Pickens.
  • Connected over thirty national security appointees across government and supported automatic discharge upgrades for more than eleven thousand LGB servicemembers.
Yes, But

While Schleusener's approach highlights the importance of integrating advocacy within institutions, criticism exists regarding the effectiveness of such models to drive real change versus grassroots efforts.

State of Play
  • Out in National Security is increasingly recognized in national conversations on diversity and inclusion within defense and security sectors.
  • Schleusener emphasizes the need for understanding both human factors and institutional mechanics to create lasting change.
What's Next

Future developments may include broader engagement efforts between LGBTQIA+ advocates and national security institutions, highlighting an ongoing push for policy and cultural reform in the military and governmental spheres.

Bottom Line

To drive change, it’s essential to build trust, understand institutional dynamics, and foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, leveraging resilience and creativity from personal and collective experiences.