Naval Academy Alumni Association Rejects Gay Alumni Chapter

ap ^ | 12/5/03

[knak]

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The governing board of the Naval Academy Alumni Association on Friday unanimously rejected a bid by 32 graduates to establish the first official gay and lesbian alumni chapter of any U.S. service academy.

The board of trustees released a memorandum saying they denied the application because it was based too specifically on a special interest, its membership would be too exclusive, and it wasn't centered on a geographical area.

"I know that there are people who are part of the board of trustees who don't have open minds toward recognizing gays and lesbians," said Jeff Petrie, a 1989 Naval Academy graduate who organized the effort to establish a gay chapter. "I think as time passes, those feelings will fade away and we'll eventually be accepted."

There is no appeal process for the organizers of USNA Out, but they aren't barred from filing their application again, said Skid Heyworth, vice president of communications for the military college's alumni association.

Petrie said his group has not yet decided whether to reapply.

The rejection sends a message to gay men and women in the military that they are not considered equal, said Aaron Belkin, director of the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

"It's a signal that the military is still on the wrong side of history, and that they are continuing to refuse to recognize gay sailors who risked their lives for their country," Belkin said.

Naval Academy alumni are able to join the Service Academy Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association (SAGALA), an 150-member alumni association that isn't officially sanctioned by any of the military academies. Many of its members are anonymous.

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[U S Army EOD]

All you got to do in a case like that is lock your cheeks, stand up and drag the culprit up to see the captain.

[annyokie]

My sentiments exactly!

[onyx]

Well here is the good news and the bad news. Most of these people were lesbians but they graduated from the Naval Acadamy before they started admitting women.

ROFLMAO! Husband thanks you for the laugh also. Wow, was he livid. Women were not allowed in the USNA when he was there.

[I got the rope]

Where can you find pleasure, search the world for treasure,
Learn science, technology?
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea?
Where can you learn to fly, play in sports or skindive,
Study oceanography?
Sign up for the big band or sit in the grand stand
When your team and others meet.

In the Navy, yes, you can sail the seven seas.
In the Navy, yes, you can put your mind at ease.
In the Navy, come on now people, make a stand.
In the Navy, can't you see we need a hand.
In the Navy, come on, protect the motherland.
In the Navy, come on and join your fellow, man.
In the Navy, come on, people, and make a stand.
In the Navy, in the Navy.

They want you! They want you! They want you as a new recruit!

If you like adventure don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast.
Don't you hesitate, there is no need to wait;
They're signing up new seamen fast.
Maybe you are too young to join up today
But don't you worry 'bout the thing
For I'm sure there will be always the good Navy
Protecting the land and sea.

In the Navy...

They want you! They want you! They want you as a new recruit!
They want you! They want you! They want you as a new recruit!
..But..but..but I'm afraid of water!
..hey..hey..look, men...
I get seasick even watching it on the TV!
They want You! - Oh my goodness!
They want you! - What am I gonna do in a submarine?
They want you! They want you!
In the Navy.

In the Navy...

[U S Army EOD]

Did he check to make sure while he was there?

[I got the rope]

Since I'm Army and my brother is Navy there is a joke to be made here but in the spirit of the season I will refrain.

Looks like possible cannon fodder to me.

[TrueBeliever9]

If the Naval Academy approved this application - a charter based upon sexual orientation - what next?

[onyx]

Did he check to make sure while he was there?

Too funny. I'll pass on asking him THAT question. LOL!

[U S Army EOD]

This could help solve the problem the Navy has now of the crew being larger coming back into port than when it left.

[TrueBeliever9]

I'm sorry but .... GO ARMY .... BEAT NAVY!!!(Even if navy likes it....)

My VMI graduate brother, retired Army - agrees! My West Point friend is still laughing over the concept because of all the Navy jokes. My Marine son has ridden a lot of waves with the Navy and he assures me that he never encountered, hum, I can't type this, but he was with the Force Recon Team and no one messes with them.

[yooper]

You may want to remove some cookies....

[U S Army EOD]

What exactly do you mean by the statement, "Riding the Waves"?

[Yasotay]

I could not help myself .... with a subject like this .... with the Army - Navy Game this weekend .... USNA was just asking for trouble!

[TrueBeliever9]

I hope you enjoy the game - the football game!

Go Army!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Speaking of which...

GO NAVY!!

[Yasotay]

You Too! I am looking forward to seeing the "stunts" coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan .... as well as the game ... alot of "Spirit" and meaning is there enjoy.... GO ARMY!

[Yasotay]

Lots of "Spirit" there ... any Backbone? Have a great weekend!

[Enterprise]

The other part is don't drop the soap either.

[upchuck]

Faggots and queers ping!