Page 10-The Michigan Daily - Friday, December 4, 1992 T[ cly Tf1 IiT fT1 f T1\ X- .. .. . .. . . :: .: . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . .. .. . . ........... ...................... . Military Freedom Act of 1992 challenges Department of Defense, NROTC policies Department of Defense, NROTC make positions clear Military Freedom Act of 1992; military must accept The following is the official policy of the Department of Defense with re- gard to the participation of homosexu- als in the military. It is dated Sept. 1984. It is Department of Defense policy that homosexuality is incompatible with military service. The presence in the military envi- ronment of persons who engage in ho- mosexual conduct, seriously impairs the accomplishment of the military mission. The presence of such members ad- versely affects the ability of the armed forces to maintain discipline, good or- der and morale; to foster mutual trust and confidence among servicemembers; to ensure the integrity of the system of rank and command; to facilitate assign- ment and worldwide deployment of servicemembers who frequently must live and work under close conditions affording minimal privacy; to recruit and attain members of the armed forces; to maintain the public acceptability of military service; and to prevent breaches of security. On Jan. 16, 1981, a change to De- partment of Defense Directive 1332.14, "Enlisted Administrative Separations," was promulgated to reaffirm the De- partment of Defense policy on homo- sexuality and to clarify the procedures to be used in processing homosexual cases. The directive authorizes separa- tion for a homosexual act (including attempt and solicitation), admission of homosexuality and homosexual mar- riage. In such cases, separation is man- datory unless the servicemember shows that he or she is not a homosexual and meets the other standards set forth in the Directive. The Directive also affords the right to a board hearing in all homosexual separations. Homosexuals will no longer be processed under a new provi- sion entitled, "Homosexuality." Such servicemembers may receive and Honorable or General (under Hon- orable Conditions) discharge depen- dent on their overall service record. A Discharge Under Other than Hon- orable Conditions may be issued under the following circumstances: the act was committed by use of force, coer- cion or intimidation; with a person un- der 16 years of age; with a subordinate in circumstances that violate custom- ary military superior-subordinate rela- tionships; openly in public view; for compensation; aboard a military vessel or aircraft; or in another location sub- ject to military control under aggravat- ing circumstances that have an adverse impact on discipline, good order, or morale comparable to the impact of such activity aboard a vessel or aircraft. patriotism of all Americans regardless of1 All Naval ROTC participants are required to sign the following contract: Eu. "I understand that homosexuality is incompatible with military service and that I may be disenrolled from my program for this reason. A homosexual is defined as a person, regardless of sex, who engages in, desires tobengage in, or intends to engage in homosexual acts. A homosexual act means bodily contact, actively undertaken or passively permitted, between members of the same sex for the purpose of satisfying sexual desires. I may be disenrolled if I (1) engage in, attempt to engage in, or solicit another to engage in a homosexual act; (2) state that I am homosexual or bisexual; or (3) marry or attempt to marry a person known to be of the same biological sex. I further understand that if I, at any time, am disenrolled from the Naval ROTC program because of homosexuality, as defined above, I may be required to repay all scholarship monies expended on my behalf." Midshipman's Signature/Date To following is a speech given by Rep. Patricia Schroeder (D-Colo.) re- garding the introduction oftheMilitary Freedom Act of 1992. One Vietnam veteran's tombstone inscription reads, "When I was in the military they gave me a medal for kill- ing two men and a discharge for loving one." For the first 150 years of our country's history, gay and lesbian Americans served in our country's mili- tary. And for the past 50 years, these same Americans, regardless of their conduct, devotion, and their accom- plishments have been told they need not apply to any branch of the armed forces.Fortunately, this has not stopped brave, patriotic gay and lesbian Ameri- cans from serving their country. But these brave Americans put themselves at risk every time they answer a call to service. First, they put their lives on the line for their country. Second, they risk be- ing disgracefully cashiered if their sexual orientation is discovered. We should be thankful that they have ig- nored this stupid policy. Our nation's defense has gained the service of thou- sands of good soldiers and sailors. Department of Defense Directive 1332.14, which says homosexuality is incompatible with military service, is un-American because it judges people by their being rather than their conduct and because it arbitrarily excludes and denies Americans equal opportunities, particularly women, who are three times more likely than men to be investigated and discharged under this policy. We have waited patiently for the courts to overturn this ban on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. We have appealed to the President and the Secretary of Defense with the argu- ment that one's sexual orientation is sexual orientation irrelevant, and that the military is being denied skilled, valued personnel. Even Lawrence Korb, former As- sistant Secretary of Defense for Man- power in the Reagan Administration, and officials within army headquarters have argued for repeal. Those please have gone answered. Now, Congress must take it upon itself to change the policy. We can be silent about this invidi- ous discrimination no more: Silence is tantamount to complicity in the per- petuation of prejudice, discrimination and fear. Military Freedom Act of 1992 H.R. 5208 The following is a bill to prohibit discrimination by the armed forces on the basis of sexual orientation Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Section 1. Prohibition of the discrimination in the military on the basis of sexual orientation (a) IN GENERAL - No member of the armed forces, or person seeking to become a member of the armed forces, may be discriminated against by the armed forces on the basis of sexual orientation. (b) PRESERVATION OF RULES AND POLICIES REGARDING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT - Nothing in subsection (a) may be constructed as requiring the armed forces to modify any rule or policy regarding sexual misconduct, but such rules and policies may not be applied in a manner that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. c I The %)iejip gn {tnI classified section is currently hiring creative, business-minded freshpersons and sophomores. Interested students can apply at: Students Publications Building 420 Maynard St. Deadline: December 4th P I. P Professional Insights Program Minority students from all majors translate accomplishments, abilities and attributes into career options for the future Guest Speakers Career Decisions Resume Writing Interviewing Job Search Registration deadline for Winter Term: Tuesday, January 19 Write the Daily The Daily encourages its readers to voice their opinions. All letters should be 300 words or less. Op-ed pieces should not exceed 3,000 characters. Include your name and year in school Send all submission to The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48109. The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for space and style. irn I R r r i. I It ---------- - -- - - presents: A N N R8 0 -- Choice Aged Juicy Thick Tender Sizzling Steak Specializing also in chicken, pasta, & seafood. 20% discount for students with I.D. on Sundays. 2333 E. Stadium just west of the Washtenaw0 junction. 930-0055 Dinner Monday-Saturday, 5-10 pm Sunday, 49 pm STEAKS 0 Additional information and registration forms available from: 3200 Student Activities Building Ann Arbor. Mt 48109-1316!/313-764-7460 Career Tannn Pi ent S (V5 LappRulrdri AT-LAW 1 A :t "a t the way we walk VOLUME ONE: THE SHORTS Bring in this ad for low sale prices: $11.99 CD 57.99 cnatte al