soulforce: a chance to serve
A gay youth movement began with the Soulforce Equality Ride, and its momentum continues with the group’s latest effort to repeal the U.S. military’s discriminative “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Soulforce will organize several demonstrations at various cities around the country, including Tulsa, Oklahoma as part of this effort.
There are currently 65,000 Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and other sexual minorities (BGLO) service members in the military. These individuals must live in a culture of oppression and homophobia created and condoned by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” It has happened that at least one person was not informed that his partner had been killed in Iraq until three months after his death. Why? Because the military did not know this service person was gay. Why? Because he would have been discharged from the military had they known that he was.
The Action: One or more openly BLGO persons who truly want to serve their country by enlisting in military service, accompanied by supporters and allies, will walk into a military recruitment office and say, “I am an openly gay person, and I want to serve my country.” Sooner or later during the interview/intake process, that person will be rejected. When that happens, the Soulforce contingent will begin a sit-in. The sit-in will continue until a congressperson for their state meets with them to discuss “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
It is very important that the potential recruit be openly out and seriously desirous of joining the military. This person or persons must be the ideal candidate, and meet the moral, physical and mental qualifications required in order to serve. The military recruitment office could use any excuse – asthma, past drug use, etc., to disqualify. The public and media must know that a qualified American citizen willing to serve her/his country has been denied that honor because of their sexual orientation.
Soulforce is looking for several BGLO persons and allies to support the candidate on the day of their enlistment and for the sit-in. If a congressperson chooses not to meet with the group, the group may be “forced” to leave the office, which may entail being arrested. Please know that everyone decides their own level of involvement in this effort. If you want to be arrested or simply stand outside as a show of support for the cause, it is your decision. Whatever you decide will be greatly appreciated.
This is not a war protest. Soulforce seeks to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” If you have issues with any military action of the current administration that you would not be able to keep securely to yourself, you should not participate in this action.
If you are interested in participating in any capacity, whether openly or behind-the-scenes, or have any questions, please contact Michael Cich, City Organizer for Tulsa’s “Soulforce: A Chance to Serve” and President, OSU Sexual Orientation Diversity Association, 405-744-9098 days, and email michael.cich@okstate.edu.