DADT finishes 26-stop tour in Dunn Meadow

A 26-stop national tour called “Voices of Honor: A Generation Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” stopped in Dunn Meadow on Tuesday.

The Human Rights Campaign and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Equality (SAGE) filled the meadow with a live band, campus speakers and national speakers to gain awareness in support of the legislation that will repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

The 1993 policy, which mandates discharge of gay soldiers serving openly, is a form of homophobia, said Carol Fischer producer of radio show “BloomingOUT,” office assistant at the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Support Services Center and a discharged marine.

“It shows that there are still misconceptions of who we are,” said Fischer. “We’re still seen as perverts; it sends the message that we aren’t worthy to die for our country. These people along with myself were willing to do that.”

Many students were baffled that equal rights issues were still prevalent. 

“At this point in time, as a nation we should be working to move past these issues, if not already move past it,” said sophomore attendee Renee Davis, “It’s disheartening that we’re still conflicting with something like this at this point of time.” 

Although the law is still in existence, more than 80 percent of Americans are in support of its repeal, said U.S. Army Specialist and speaker Jarrod Chlapowski.

“What we’re asking for is not to go around base throwing around rainbow flags or doing pride marches,” Chlapowski said. “We just want the ability to serve without the threat of being discharged.”

There is much hypocrisy in this policy, said SAGE president and senior Dennis Ellis.  
“We allow the GLBT community to serve, to give such a great service but only through a form of hypocrisy,” Ellis said. 

With at least two people being discharged daily due to their sexual orientation, ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” can even be considered an equal opportunity issue, said SAGE Outreach Coordinator and senior Jain Waldrip. 

“This isn’t a gay issue, it isn’t a straight issue,” speaker Scott Spychala said, “it’s a progressive issue.”

Not only do these people have to hide a part of themselves, but many victims of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell have to be silent and hide their stories too, said Chlapowski. 

“I want you to write letters,” said Chlapowski. “I want you to call your representatives everyday. It matters. It counts.”