Defense Department University Elects Openly Gay Student Council President

[Rhiannon12866]

WASHINGTON, DC – The Uniformed Services University (USU), a Department of Defense military medical, nursing and graduate school, has elected Patrick M. High as its first openly gay student council president. High, who will represent graduate students at the university, previously served nine years in the Illinois Army National Guard and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at USU. High was elected by a student body that includes uniformed personnel in the armed forces.

“Patrick High’s election as student council president is just the latest in a series of signs that those serving in our armed forces are ready to welcome openly gay colleagues,” said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). “High was elected based on his qualifications for the post, and that same criteria should be the guiding force throughout the military. His fellow students, including military students, have placed their trust in a leader who represents their ideals and goals. SLDN congratulates Patrick on his election and applauds those who voted for a strong leader and a strong message of qualification ahead of discrimination.”

High says he hopes to “change military students’ perspective that gays can and have served in the military and worked well with their straight counterparts.” His other objectives include pursuing health insurance for civilian graduate students and keeping USU competitive with other universities in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area.

http://www.sldn.org/templates/press/record.html?section=2&record=3177

[RumpusCat]

1. Good for him!

My gf, who wanted to join the Navy until she realized that she was a 'mo, thinks Don't Ask Don't Tell hurts the armed forces by turning liberals away from the officer corps, resulting in a more close-minded and reactionary military. The ban also leads to the more liberal colleges and universities turning recruiters away from their campuses which means that the officer corps are going to be conservatives who won't do away with Don't Ask Don't Tell--it's a vicious cycle.

I think that getting rid of DADT is important because it will make arguments against gay marriage and other rights more difficult.

:patriot:

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I absolutely agree with you. And it is a vicious cycle, also dangerous.

I've read that throwing gays out of our military has resulted in the loss of some of the most qualified people, those we need the most now, Arabic speakers...:eyes:

I went to a very liberal college and I remember that a female army recruiter showed up one day on campus. Her little table was set up right outside of the room where my acting class was held and we all stopped and talked to ber because we felt sorry for her - nobody even stopped by.;(

And what's a 'mo?:shrug:

[RumpusCat]

3. A 'mo is a cute way of saying 'homo'

At least I think it sounds cute. Not quite sure when that caught on around here but it's now the cutsie way of saying that one is gay. :hi: I am selfishly glad that my gf didn't join the military because I probably wouldn't have met her but damn Don't Ask Don't Tell for taking that life ambition away from her.

It's hard to get progressives interested in this issue because they're often a bit wary of things that seem pro-military. The attitude, even amongst a lot of my gay friends, is what self-respecting 'mo would even want to join the military?

[Rhiannon12866]

4. Thanks for explaining! I could not figure it out, LOL...

And I agree that we'd benefit if there were more progressives in the military, but that type of lifestyle, authoritarian and a pretty regimented life, doesn't suit most progressives, so this is also a vicious cycle.:-(

I used to work with a guy who is gay and who had also served in the military. From what he said, he lived in fear of being found out, had to be on alert all the time, unfortunate. And that's the reason he finally got out.:-(

I'm sorry that your gf had this taken away from her, but glad that this allowed her to find you.:-)

Rhiannon:hi: