Gay Activists March in Westwood to Protest Military Policy

About 300 gay activists marched through the crowded streets of Westwood on Friday night, hoisting signs and blocking traffic in a mostly nonviolent protest against President Clinton’s proposed “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy concerning gays in the military.

The demonstrators, who rallied outside the Federal Building about 7 p.m., marched to the nearby ROTC building on the UCLA campus. At one point during the march, protesters stopped a bus and banged on the windows. They also blew whistles and streamed among cars in the traffic-congested streets, but no serious disturbances were reported.

Most expressed disappointment with the proposed policy, which would allow gays to serve in the military as long as they do not disclose their sexual orientation.

Former Navy Seaman Eddie Goggans, 37, of North Hollywood recalled living in intense fear of being found out during his six years of service, including time spent as a jet fighter mechanic aboard the Saratoga. Goggans, who now has AIDS, decried Clinton’s policy and predicted that it would be found unconstitutional.

“It makes me sick,” Goggans said, crying as he spoke. “I feel Bill Clinton has pushed me a little closer to death.”

Eric Ewing said he was notified that he is being discharged from the Air Force after being spotted on Tuesday at a televised protest in West Hollywood wearing his full-dress uniform. “I was very proud of defending my country,” he said, “but now . . . I feel I got stabbed in the heart by Clinton.”

Former Air Force 2nd Lt. Jody Hoenninger, 39, of Los Angeles spoke during the rally and recalled being discharged in 1980 after disclosing to her superiors that she is a lesbian. “I intended to be a career (Air) Force officer,” she said before the march. “This is what I wanted to do with my life.”