Minnesota State Wire

The publisher of an Edina-based magazine that creates content for homosexuals will receive $26,436 from U.S. taxpayers in 2024.

Lavender Media, 5100 Eden Ave., Edina, will receive the grant from the U.S. Department of Army, according to USASpending.gov, which tracks and publishes records of all federal grants, contracts and loans.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Lavender Media has received a grant from the U.S. Army.

All told, the U.S. Army has paid Lavender Media $154,019 since 2019.

The Army hopes placing advertising in the self-described "glossy magazine... aimed at the local, national and international lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, (and) queer" audience will help it recruit more non-heterosexuals into the Minnesota National Guard, part of the Army's combat reserve.

A U.S. Army advertisement in the May 2, 2024 edition of Lavender Magazine offers a $20,000 enlistment bonus and free college tuition to readers who join the guard.

In the Minnesota National Guard's annual report, it quotes Lavender's CEO, Stephen Rocheford, as describing the taxpayer grants as "the first time that he knows of in history that the military reached out to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer potential recruits."

A 2020 request for proposals titled "recruiting and retention battalion LGBT Advertising Campaign" said vendors responding should have a "professional image; all glossy publication; and be a company that targets readership in Minnesota." It also requested that the publisher include the Minnesota National Guard in its homosexual business directory.

"An advocate for change and progress within the military"

The Army is paying Lavender for both advertising and to publish "stories of the many airmen and soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard who belong to the (homosexual) community."

A Lavender story published last June profiles homosexual Minnesota National Guard lieutenant Raymond Shoup, describing him as  "a remarkable officer whose journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to service and a resilient spirit."

Shoup works as the Army's "special emphasis council chair for LGBTQI+ events" where he "works tirelessly to coordinate events and foster dialogue that bridges gaps between different communities."

"His commitment to open-mindedness and empathy has made him an advocate for change and progress within the military," the article said.

A paid story published in November profiles a lesbian Minnesota National Guard "public affairs specialist" named Tylin Rust, who serves part-time with the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth. She works full-time as a police officer on the Fon du Lac Reservation in nearby Cloquet.

Rust, who "produces photo, video and print products highlighting the missions and airmen assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing," is pictured with her fiancee, "Josephine," who is an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force.

"I love how I can serve and not feel any different.  I’m proud to be part of the LGBT+ community and I’m proud to be me," Rust is quoted as having said.

Founded during World War II, the 148th Fighter Wing unit of the Minnesota National Guard flies the F-16C "Fighting Falcon." Its pilots flew combat air patrol missions over Washington, D.C. after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.