Gay veterans speak out against policy

By HATTIE BROWN GARROW, The Virginian-Pilot
© July 30, 2006
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=108387&ran=197297

NORFOLK - Roxie Hoven considers herself a patriot, a preserver of freedom who was willing to work - and die - for her country. All the while, she felt oppressed.

During her nine years in the Navy, Hoven hid the fact that she is a lesbian. She made no hint of her sexual orientation but, she said, she endured harassment that eventually led her to leave the Navy. The military interviewed her co-workers and friends, interrogated her three times and threatened to search her home, she said.

Hoven was honorably discharged in 1995 after nine years of service.

No one else should experience that, Hoven told more than 50 people Saturday during a two-hour town hall meeting at the Fred Heutte Center. She and three other gay veterans from Virginia spoke out against the military's 13-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Retired Army Col. Thomas Field, retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Vivien Vilora and retired Navy Capt. Robert Rankin also were members of the panel.

The forum was sponsored by Military Equality Alliance, a national organization seeking the repeal of the policy.

The policy prohibits gay or lesbian service members from revealing their sexual orientation or having same-sex sexual contact.

To prevent harassment, the military is not supposed to question service members about their sexual orientation.

President Clinton enacted the policy shortly after taking office, saying it would make the military more inclusive. Congressional debate led to the compromise that is now " don't ask, don't tell."

Last year, Rep. Martin Meehan, D-Mass., introduced a bill that would replace the policy with one prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Critics of allowing gay men and lesbians to openly serve in the military say it would, among other things, hurt units' morale, reduce individual privacy and possibly cause security risks.

The panelists disagreed. "I think we can all agree ' don't ask, don't tell' is a failed experiment, and it needs to end now," said forum moderator Lara Ballard, co-chair of the alliance's board of directors.

The ban on openly gay and lesbian service members is hurting military preparedness and national security, Field said.

The policy prevents many qualified young people from considering enlistment and causes highly trained people to leave the military, he said.

" 'Don't ask, don't tell' requires them to serve as I did - in silence," Field said.

During the meeting, the muffled sound of some protesters could be heard from across the street. They decried the gay and lesbian lifestyle and carried signs, one of which read "PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD!"

An Alabama native, Hoven said she grew up in a patriotic family and dreamed of the day when she could wear a military uniform.

She would have likely retired from the Navy.

"It's not a special right," Hoven said.

"We just want to serve our country... without the fear of reprisal."

Reach Hattie Brown Garrow at (757) 222-5116 or hattie.brown@pilotonline.com.

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