Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 14, 1993 TAG: 9304140280
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY GREG SCHNEIDER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
GAY-BAN PROTEST HITS CAMPUS
A nationwide bus crusade to end the ban on homosexuals in the military chose an unlikely spot Tuesday for its Virginia visit: the exclusive, Baptist-run University of Richmond.The Campaign for Military Service, a coalition of groups opposed to the ban, has been staging its "Tour of Duty" bus crusade since March 14. The tour is to hit 32 cities in 24 states before culminating at a march in Washington, D.C., on April 23.
Standing on a hill between the campus lake and the cathedral-like spires of the Boatwright Memorial Library, a group of military veterans told about 70 book bag-toting students how their stellar careers were cut short by their sexual preference.
The veterans said they also wanted to demonstrate that a homosexual soldier is "not some wheezing hormonal beast which flies into a state of sexual frenzy whenever a bar of soap hits the ground," said Alan Stephens, a former University of Alabama football player who resigned from the Army in 1988 after admitting his homosexuality.
"The inference we would rather look at someone's butt than guard the rear is ridiculous, insulting and outdated," Stephens said to raucous laughter and applause.
A few of the students were members of the college's fledgling Lambda Coalition, a lesbian and gay support group, but others were just curious.
"I'm torn - I know it's not right to discriminate against them, yet it's a moral issue, too," said R.J. Davis, a 19-year-old sophomore.
"I'm glad to see this, because I'm definitely in support of gay rights," said Robyn McKernan, a 21-year-old senior wearing a gay rights button. "I think it's important to show other [heterosexuals] that it's all right. . . . I'm sure a lot of other people would wear a button, but because the school is the way it is, they're afraid to."
But the campus conservatism that intimidates some students flared only briefly.
"This is an abomination of God!" shouted Charlie Kennon, a 23-year-old senior who waved a Bible and referred to the group as "Sodomites."
Leonard Goldberg, the university's vice president for student affairs, hustled over to confront Kennon. "We're trying to ensure free speech and not end that freedom," Goldberg said, calling the student's outburst an "attack."
"I'm not attacking anybody. I'm standing up for God," Kennon said.
"You can speak for whoever you wish, as long as you don't interrupt other people," Goldberg said. Kennon backed off, but returned after the rally and spoke loudly from the Scripture.
"What are you doing for dinner?" a male voice in the crowd called to him.
The bus tour moved on to a brief stop at the Richmond offices of U.S. Sen. Charles Robb before heading on to West Virginia.