Update: 'Don’t ask, don’t tell’ challenged by students

GREENSBORO — Nine people were charged with second-degree trespassing Thursday after staging a sit-in protest when four openly gay college students weren’t allowed to enlist in the U.S. Army.

The four students — Jessica Arvidson, Stacey Booe, Matt Hill Comer and Alex Nini — were participating in the Right to Serve campaign, a national effort by the group Soulforce protesting the federal "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy. Recruiters cited the policy in their refusal, Booe said.

Members of the military must abide by the U.S. Code, said Maj. Stewart Upton, a press officer for the Department of Defense. "Under that policy, any person who has stated that they are a homosexual or bisexual cannot be allowed entry into the U.S. military services based upon the applicable laws and regulations governing sexual conduct by members of the armed forces."

Regarding the protesters, "the Department of Defense supports and defends the constitutional right of all U.S. citizens to free speech and peaceful assembly," Upton said.

All the attempted enlistees except Booe were arrested and charged with one count of second-degree trespassing, a misdemeanor — along with six other supporters.

They were also instructed to stay away from the recruiting center until after their court date on Oct. 23, Comer said.

Police said all nine were charged with second-degree tresspass and were released on a written promise to appear in court:

Jessica Morgan Arvidson, 18

Alexander James Barbato, 18

Matthew Hill Comer, 20

Cristy Ford Elkins, 62

Jacquelyn Hernandez, 17

Danielle Ashton Hoffman, 20

Leslie Jean Hughes, 17

Alexandria Fae Nini, 20

Caitlin Elyse Stroud, 21



From today's paper, written by staff writer Lanita Withers:

GREENSBORO — Jessica Arvidson graduated from high school early with one goal in mind — joining the Air Force.

She passed her preliminary tests and was about to set up her date for boot camp when she shared one more personal detail — that she's a lesbian.

"I said I'm openly gay and I really am not going to hide it," said Arvidson, a 18-year-old freshman at UNCG. "He didn't let me into the Air Force."

But today she'll try to enlist again, this time in the Army. Arvidson is one of four openly gay local college students who will attempt to join the military to challenge the 13-year-old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
Students from Guilford College and Forsyth Tech will also try to enlist.
They're participating in the Right to Serve campaign, a nationwide movement by the group Soulforce which began earlier this year. So far, gay, lesbian and bisexual people in 10 cities have tried to enlist. None has been successful.

"The folks who are trying to sign up are folks who really do want to serve their country," said Jacob Reitan, co-director of the national campaign, which organized another event Wednesday in New York. "For folks who are gay or lesbian, who are not willing to hide the sexual orientation to serve, it's an unjust burden to put on someone who is willing to serve for their country."

Alex Nini, a 19-year-old student at Forsyth Tech, has a story similar to Arvidson's. She tried to enlist in the Navy two years ago, but was rejected when she told recruiters she was gay.

"It wasn't a protest at all," Nini said of her earlier attempt to enlist. "I wanted to go in. I got shot down. I felt horrible. I felt like they just didn't trust me as a person."

Many of the young adults said they realized the gravity of their decision. Matt Hill Comer, a 20-year-old UNCG sophomore, said it took him two months to make his decision. Comer has been active in gay and lesbian rights issues for years.

"There's a war going on in Iraq," Comer said. "I knew if the military were to accept me, I'd have a good possibility of going to Iraq or Afghanistan... In the end, I decided I love my country enough to defend it."

But Comer knows the chances are slim.

He said the way the law is written, only a waiver from the U.S. Secretary of Defense or his office could allow him to serve openly.

"I'm hoping for the .01 chance that Donald Rumsfeld will sign that waiver and allow us to serve our country," Comer said.

Also trying to enlist today is Stacey Booe, a student at Guilford College.
If they aren't allowed to enlist, the four students and their supporters are planning a nonviolent sit-in at the recruitment center.

Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or lwithers@news-record.com