Combatting Homophobia : Clarity and leadership on issue of homosexuals in the military are needed

An accused murderer of Allen R. Schindler, the 22-year-old Navy seaman who was believed to be a victim of gay bashing, is set to go to trial before a military court in April. The case has become symbolic for gay rights groups, which have accused the Navy of failing to protect Schindler from homophobic hostilities aboard ship.

Although the Navy has denied this, the tragic murder reinforces the need for clarity and leadership on the issue of homosexuals in the military. The need to lift the ban on gays--which President Clinton has strongly supported--is overwhelmingly obvious at this point.

The current compromise agreement among the President, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and congressional leaders appears to be a necessary interim step. The agreement delays until July 15 an executive order removing the ban. But Clinton must hold true to his promise. The ban discriminates against a class of people for something that has nothing to do with the quality of their service. And it creates an atmosphere in which crimes against gays--though officially discouraged--are considered at least by a fringe element to be permissible.

Recent news stories have given more details about Schindler’s last few days aboard the Belleau Wood, which had its home port in Sasebo, Japan. Schindler, who had informed his superiors he was gay and who was in the process of being discharged, told friends that anti-gay epithets had been used against him on the ship. The Chicago Heights, Ill., native was beaten beyond recognition Oct. 27 in a public restroom in Sasebo. Two shipmates have been accused of the murder.

Though the Navy says Schindler made no formal complaint about his treatment aboard ship, crewmen described the ship’s atmosphere as “tense.”

Perhaps no clear-cut direction from above can tame the kind of violent homophobia that led to Schindler’s death. But military leaders--including the President--can set a tone that makes it absolutely clear that gay bashing will not be tolerated. The first step in setting that tone is to lift the ban against gays.