Gay activists
jailed for protesting "don't ask, don't tell"

While staging a peaceful protest against the military's discriminatory recruiting practices, 11 young queer activists were arrested in separate incidents in Philadelphia and Minneapolis.

The activists were part of the Soulforce group--and Soulforce's Right to Serve military equality program--which seeks LGBT equality through nonviolent resistance. Earlier in the summer the activists had attempted to enlist at National Guard centers but were rebuffed when they announced they were gay. This week the activists returned to those recruitment centers and staged a sit-in. The Soulforce protesters were joined by supporters, including straight allies and clergy. The potential enlistees were eventually jailed by local police.

The activists are fighting the 13-year-old federal "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bars openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from serving in the armed forces.

Right to Serve plans on protesting in additional cities next week, including New York City, Austin, Chicago, and Oklahoma City.

"Each city will be a little different," said Right to Serve codirector Jake Reitan. "This is an experiment in figuring out what happens when openly gay people test the system." (The Advocate)