Bisexual cadet speaks her mind

Published: Thursday, February 1, 1996

Last May, Cadet Huong Nguyen came out as a bisexual woman. Following federal policy on gays in the military, ROTC placed her on leave. Eight months later, Nguyen is publicly calling for change, both nationally and at UCLA.

By Patrick Marantal

Daily Bruin Contributor

ROTC cadet Huong Nguyen, who was placed on leave last May for revealing herself as a bisexual, spoke out against the military's policy on homosexuals amid crowds of reporters and a steady rain Wednesday.

Despite the harsh weather, more than 30 people from the media, various gay, lesbian and bisexual organizations, and members of the UCLA community gathered as Nguyen and her supporters called for stronger university action against the military's policy.

"The policy is wrong. What happened to me is wrong. The fact that this injustice is occurring at UCLA, an institution which has publicly admitted to a nondiscrimination statement, is wrong," Nguyen said.

"I call on the university and I call on Chancellor Young to take steps to protect the rights of the cadets in the ROTC program."

Those steps include university reimbursement of all scholarship money taken away from any ROTC cadet because of their sexual orientation. Nguyen herself is in danger of being forced to repay $6,000 in scholarship money if she is discharged from the military.

"Although (university officials) cannot immediately change the policies of the military, they can protect the students by agreeing to pay tuition for any cadet who loses their scholarships because of their sexual orientation until the student can find another source," Nguyen said.

David Mixner, a gay rights lobbyist and campus protest organizer, called for more severe action, including a university suit against the federal government for violating UCLA's nondiscrimination policy.

"I think it's time for tough action. One of (Chancellor Young's) students has been injured by this policy. I think he should file suit against the federal government (and) against a law that requires him to discriminate," Mixner said.

"What they choose in the halls of Congress is one thing, but to enforce us to separate people and to create hatred is morally reprehensible," he continued.

While some applaud Young's efforts so far to change the military's policy, others said he is not doing nearly enough.

"I understand that in two instances (Young) has actually contacted the Department of Defense and asked them to reverse the policy," said Peter Hammond, an anthropology professor and the chair of the Chancellor's Task Force on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Studies. "I would personally wish for a little bit stronger stand on his part."

Nguyen and her supporters also argued that the university's commitment to diversity is not as strong as it is billed.

"They sell the university as a diverse place and they should uphold their commitment," Nguyen said.

And while the university is a seemingly diverse community, the creation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy by the military does not help promote that diversity for homosexual students, Nguyen's supporters said.

"What (the policy) induces is dishonesty all the way around on the part of many gay, lesbian and bisexual people who are interested in military careers or those who have military careers, but are compelled by this ridiculous ruling to conceal their identity," Hammond said.

"And the other major cost is that it effectively excludes many people who would have an important contribution that they could make to the military," he added.

After the speech was read and the questions answered, Nguyen went to answer questions with reporters from both on and off campus.

PATRICK LAM

ROTC Cadet Huong Nguyen addresses a crowd of reporters and onlookers at a press conference Wednesday.

SUSIE CHU/Daily Bruin

Huong Nguyen pauses during her speech.Comments to webmaster@db.asucla.ucla.edu