The Judge Advocate General (JAG) office is on campus this week interviewing and recruiting law students for service as lawyers in the military. If you happen to be openly LGBT, you are not allowed to serve. The law school has an anti-discrimination policy (which forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation) which it requires all potential employers who wish to conduct On Campus Interviews to sign. The military, on behalf of the United States government, refuses to sign. Yet, because of a bill called the "Solomon Amendment" they are allowed on campus to conduct their recruiting efforts. The alternative would be to lose ALL federal funding for the entire University (not just the law school). In Michigan's case, that adds up to over $500 million. Pretty effective coercion.
Today, in protest, all the OutLaws came dressed in suits. The idea was that we hoped people would comment or ask if we were dressed up for interviews. Then, of course, we would explain that we weren't allowed to interview. Of course, I wouldn't be allowed to interview in any case (too old to serve), plus I already served, while I was still deep in the closet. But, I wore a suit in a show of support and solidarity (actually I wore this pink and black suit that I had bought when I thought I might go to the Halloween party as Elle Wood). I had more than half my section (at least 50 people) ask me about why I was wearing a suit; it was really a pleasure to explain it to them. Many were, understandably, perfectly oblivious. That sometimes shocks me. I get so involved in this whole civil rights thing -- and have been for so long -- that I just assume everyone knows something basic like this. That would be no.
From 11 - 1 today, in the law school corridors, we handed out flyers and cookies (with cute little "Ask. Tell." slogans on them) and told anyone who would take the time to listen why were there. I think we did a great job of educating the law school community. I was pleased to be a part of it.
You can learn more about Don't Ask; Don't Tell and the Solomon Amendment by visiting these websites:
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) as www.sldn.org
The AALS Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues at home.pacbell.net/pkykwan/aals/what.htm
The Society of American Law Teachers (SALT) at www.saltlaw.org/positionsolomon.htm
The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu.