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Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: News
Don't ask, don't tell? Students disagree
Over 50 protestors challenge Army's 'discriminatory' policy after recruiter visits Law School
Jimmy Tobias
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This was the question of the day at the Law School last Friday, when colorful posters bearing that phrase and others plastered the building's walls.
Dozens of stickers that read "Shame on JAG" (the Judge Advocate General's Corps in the Army) were likewise stuck on about 50 protesters' bodies.
The posters and stickers were indicative of the protest, organized to challenge a U.S. military officer who came to recruit Law students.
In the past, Penn Law - which has a non-discrimination policy that includes the protection of sexual minorities - has banned the military from coming to recruit Law students in the building because of the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans openly gay individuals from enlisting.
But the Law School was forced to let in the army officer in compliance in order to comply with the Solomon Amendment - reaffirmed last March by the U.S. Supreme Court - which mandates that all schools within a university must provide equal job-recruitment access to the military, or the entire university will lose federal funding.
Despite this mandate, students and faculty united against both the military's presence at the Law school, and the policy in general, in a protest organized by Lambda Law, an organization for LGBT Law students.
In total, six students out of over 200 signed up to interview with Capt. Jon Pavlovcak, the representative from JAG.
And of the six interviews, three were another form of protest.
Seth Blinder, a third-year Law student, revealed to Pavlovcak midway through his interview that he is gay, telling the recruiter he would be an asset to the military if he were allowed to join.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
ok
posted 2/26/07 @ 8:42 AM EST
Who do you think pays these JAG officers? Your tax dollars. By wasting their time, you waste your own tax money, and for that matter, my money too. When you disagree with people, it is possible to do so without being disrespectful. (Continued…)
Puritanical Rightwing Nutjob
posted 2/26/07 @ 10:32 AM EST
"LGTB" ? Come on now, DP, keep up with the times. There's got to be more letters at the end of that acronym that stand for all sorts of interesting perversions--uh I mean Perfectly Valid Lifestyle Choice. (Continued…)
Roy
posted 2/26/07 @ 11:42 AM EST
dear ok: you are making the mistake of thinking they hoped to accomplish something. These protests are about self-indulgence. That sentiment can be found explicitly in the article:
"Clinton, who is openly gay and spoke at the protest, said he did not feel it changed anybody's mind, but he said it is good to make a statement. (Continued…)
jennifer
posted 2/26/07 @ 2:15 PM EST
I don't think the US military can afford to turn away any qualified soldiers that wish to aid in defending our nation. Who knows if the gay and lesbian individuals who would have served in the army could help stop the bloodshed in Iraq, but the US certainly isn't in the position to turn away help right now. (Continued…)
Law School Student
posted 2/26/07 @ 3:52 PM EST
These protesters are not only CHOOSING to ruin the moral fabric of our country but they are CHOOSING to de-moralize our troops and citizens as well.
Penn '08
SAS student
posted 2/26/07 @ 4:07 PM EST
Thanks for wasting the recruiter's time and taking out your anger on someone who has no influence over official government policy. Once again, the LGBT movement is doing nothing for its country. (Continued…)
comment to Jimmy
posted 2/26/07 @ 4:40 PM EST
Well I'm sure anyone with a dissenting opinion at this school, aka anything other than a liberal point of view..... would be hessitant to voice their opinion because of the criticism they'll receive. (Continued…)
Penn '08
Re: Jennifer
posted 2/26/07 @ 4:59 PM EST
The policy does not prohibit gays from entering the military, it merely restricts their conduct (i.e. openly discussing their sexual orientation). This is similar to men having different conduct standards than women (i. (Continued…)
ex-army guy
posted 2/26/07 @ 6:55 PM EST
You people who are opposed to the people who were in this protest just don't get it - I was in the service and was discharged under DADT. I didn't tell anyone anything; I lead a quiet discreet life off base with my partner. (Continued…)
Demoralizing?
posted 2/27/07 @ 8:35 PM EST
You're right. The troops probably can't get out of their cots in the morning because three Ivy League law students in Pennsylvania politely protested Don't Ask, Don't Tell. (Continued…)
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