By Rachel Morse, Staff Writer
Scroll down for a follow-up on the forum.
The repeal of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy sparked SPECTRUM, the campus LGBTQ organization, to host a forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 outside of the caf in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University center.
The forum is meant to educate individuals on what the bill represented. The event is open to students and faculty, as well as local schools and universities, SPECTRUM President Jessie McArthur said.
“We want to take the opportunity to educate people,” she said.
The forum will discuss the history of homosexuals in the military, what the DADT bill represented, and an informational session with Art LeFrancois, professor of law, McArthur said.
“We are having a difficult time finding people to speak,” she said. “It’s a controversial subject.”
The Defense Against Marriage Act will also be discussed, which McArthur said “defines ‘spouse’ as man and woman.”
McArthur said she learned about the repealed policy after attending an APA conference.
“At this point, this bill is all that can be accomplished,” she said. “It’s the biggest step the military can take right now.”
Students are encouraged to attend for the historical significance of the day and the potential to gain knowledge, McArthur said.
“It’s an opportunity to learn about something they don’t know about,” she said.
Courtney Harms, English junior, said she doesn’t think that being homosexual should keep anyone from joining the armed forces.
“I don’t think anyone’s sexual preference has anything to do with whether they can fight for their country,” she said.
Follow-up
About twenty people discusses the repealing of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” bill and also the Defense against Marriage Act on Sept. 20 at an information forum hosted by SPECTRUM.
Jessie McArthur, SPECTRUM president, said that overall the forum went very well.
“There was an overall feeling of being glad that the repeal happened,” she said.
She said that one individual from the Marine Corps was present to share their story. Most of the conversation centered on the future and what could be done to influence future legislation.
“We are looking toward the future and looking on how to change legislation.”
“We now have a basis for when change happens.”
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