Right to Serve Update for the Week of October 9th, 2006
Since the beginning of the summer, forty-three young, gay Americans have attempted to enlist in the U.S. military without lying about who they are or whom they love.
In seventeen cities across the country, those involved with the Right to Serve have been denied the opportunity to enlist because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
In order to call attention to the injustice — and the human and administrative costs — of this federal policy, young adults have returned for sit-ins at the military recruitment centers in seventeen cities. Fifty-four people have been arrested at sit-ins thus far.
Events for the week of October 9th, 2006
On Wednesday, October 11th, young gay adults in Richmond, Virginia and Los Angeles, California attempted to enlist in the U.S. military. Once again, these potential service members were denied the honor of service because of their sexual orientation. Sit-ins were held in both locales to protest recent and past manifestations of widespread injustice. Refer to the media page for coverage updates.
Right to Serve Update for the Week of October 2nd, 2006
Since the beginning of the summer, thirty-three young, gay Americans have attempted to enlist in the U.S. military without lying about who they are or whom they love.
In fifteen cities across the country, those involved with the Right to Serve have been denied the opportunity to enlist because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
In order to call attention to the injustice — and the human and administrative costs — of this federal policy, young adults have returned for sit-ins at the military recruitment centers in fifteen cities. Forty-three people have been arrested at sit-ins thus far.
Events for the week of October 2nd, 2006
TAMPA, FL
| What: | Several openly gay, young adults will attempt to enlist in the U.S. military. They will be led by Michael Freincle and Marietta Huff. |
| When: | Friday, October 6th, 2006. |
| Where: | US Army Recruiting Station 765 West Brandon Blvd Tampa, FL |
Right to Serve Update for the Week of September 18th, 2006
Since the beginning of the summer, twenty-five young, gay Americans have attempted to enlist in the U.S. military without lying about who they are or whom they love.
In thirteen cities across the country, Right to Serve campaigners have been denied the opportunity to enlist because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
In order to call attention to the injustice — and the human and administrative costs — of this federal policy, young adults have returned for sit-ins at the military recruitment centers in thirteen cities. Twenty-five people have been arrested at sit-ins thus far.
Forecast for the Week of September 25th
Tuesday:
Two enlistees will go in for their interview in DC. They will be joined by a young woman who, shortly after being decorated with a purple heart, was nearly discharged when it was found out she is a lesbian.
Madison returns with their three enlistees who have already been denied. About fifty supporters are expected to show, and arrests are likely.
Spokane goes in for enlistment with one enlistee, and they are prepared to sit-in if he is denied.
Wednesday:
Charlottesville returns with two enlistees who were denied and about twenty supporters for their sit-in
Little Rock goes in for enlistment with one young woman and about twenty-five supporters.
Events for the week of September 18th, 2006
AUSTIN, TX
| What: | Two enlistees entered the office which had been locked up most of the day. They were arrested for entering, even though one enlistee, Jesus Sanchez, had not been granted the courtesy of a sit-down conversation with a recruiter. They spent the night in jail and were released on bond after being charged with criminal trespass. |
| When: | Tuesday, September 19th, 2006. |
| Where: | US Army Recruiting Station 2025 Guadalupe St, Suite 134 Austin, TX |
GREENSBORO, NC
| What: | Four enlistees showed up at the army recruitment office. They began their enlistment process and had interviews. When they revealed they were gay, tensions increased and supporters were inside the office when recruiters shut the doors, holding them inside. Four enlistees and five community supporters were arrested and taken away in cuffs. |
| When: | Thursday, September 21st, 2006. |
| Where: | US Army Recruiting Station 2404 Merritt Drive, Suite B Greensboro, NC |
PHOENIX, AZ
| What: | One lesbian, Meg Sneed, was prepared to join the Coast Guard, a desire since high school. When she and fifteen supporters arrived, they found the center locked and dark. They held a sit-in outside. Sneed will try to make another appointment for mid-October. She and her supporters will return with the hope of achieving a recruitment interview. |
| When: | Wednesday, September 20th, 2006. |
| Where: | US Coast Guard Recruiting Station 826 North Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ |
NEW YORK CITY, NY
| What: | On September 20th, Curt Peterson, Rhonda Davis, and Kamal Rashad Davis went to the recruitment center at the "crossroads of the world" in Times Square to enlist in the armed forces. They found the recruitment station, which is usually open every day of the year, closed and dark. About eighty supporters joined them in demonstrating in a silent vigil, passing out flyers, and holding a sit-in near the entrance. Police arrived with a paddy wagon and stood by. But, they decided against arrests. So, the enlistees spent the day sitting in. Other enlistees, unaffiliated with the Right to Serve, showed up for their own appointments, but found no one home. A soldier came by and shared his perspective on the policy – he felt that it is ‘outrageous’ and that he even knows gay sargeants. We will return in sometime in October to further our efforts, official appointment or not. |
| When: | Wednesday, September 20th, 2006. |
| Where: | US Army Recruiting Station Times Square, 714 7th Avenue New York City, NY |
Right to Serve Update for the Week of September 11th, 2006
Since the beginning of the summer, twenty young, gay Americans have attempted to enlist in the U.S. military without lying about who they are or whom they love.
In nine cities across the country, Right to Serve participants have been denied the opportunity to enlist because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
In order to call attention to the injustice — and the human and administrative costs — of this federal policy, young adults have returned for sit-ins at the military recruitment centers in Minneapolis and Philadelphia. Eleven people have been arrested at sit-ins thus far.
Events for the week of September 11th, 2006
CHICAGO, IL
| What: | Three openly gay young adults rejected from enlisting in the Army Reserves return to recruitment center for sit-in with supporters. |
| When: | Tuesday, September 12th, 2006. Press conference at 10 a.m. |
| Where: | US Army Recruiting Station 1239 N. Clybourn Ave, Suite 226 Chicago, IL |
SHREVEPORT, LA
| What: | Two openly gay young adults and supporters will sit-in if denied enlistment in the Marines. |
| When: | Tuesday, September 12th, 2006. Press conference at 8 a.m. |
| Where: | Marines Recruitment Center 9040 Mansfield Road Shreveport, LA 71118 |
NORMAN, OK
| What: | An open lesbian Nichole Rawls will attempt to enlist in the Army. If rejected because of her sexual orientation, she and her supporters will stage a sit-in. |
| When: | Wednesday, September 13th, 2006. Press conference at 11 a.m. |
| Where: | Army Recruitment Center 3625 W. Main St. Norman, OK 73072 |
Right to Serve Update for the Week of September 4th, 2006
Since the beginning of the summer, eighteen young, gay Americans have attempted to enlist in the U.S. military without lying about who they are or whom they love.
In eight cities across the country, Right to Serve campaigners have been denied the opportunity to enlist because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
In order to call attention to the injustice — and the human and administrative costs — of this federal policy, young adults have returned for sit-ins at the military recruitment centers in Minneapolis and Philadelphia. Eleven people have been arrested at sit-ins thus far.
Events for the week of September 11th, 2006
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
| When: | Wednesday September 6th, 2006. Press conference at 11 a.m. |
| Where: | US Army Recruiting Station 6401 West Northwest Expressway Oklahoma City, OK 73132 |
SHREVEPORT, LA
| When: | Wednesday September 6th, 2006. Press conference at 2:30 p.m. |
| Where: | Marines Recruitment Center 9040 Mansfield Road Shreveport, LA 71118 |
Right to Serve Update for the Week of August 28th, 2006
Since the beginning of the summer, fifteen young, gay Americans have attempted to enlist in the U.S. military without lying about who they are or whom they love.
In Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Chicago, Austin, Charlottesville, and Oklahoma City, Right to Serve campaigners have been denied the opportunity to enlist because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
In order to call attention to the injustice — and the human and administrative costs — of this federal policy, young adults have returned for sit-ins at the military recruitment centers in Minneapolis and Philadelphia. They have been joined by veterans, clergy, and straight youth allies. Eleven young people have been arrested at sit-ins thus far. More sit-ins are planned for the following weeks.
This week, Derek House, John Alaniz, and Justin Hager will attempt to enlist in Madison, WI.
When: Wednesday August 30th, 2006. Press conference at 11 a.m.
Where: US Army Recruiting Station, 780 Regent Street, Madison, WI 53715
For more accounts of the campaign to date, see media coverage of the campaign.