JROTC and Discrimination
There is little doubt that the JROTC program in San Francisco – and San Francisco alone – does not discriminate against openly LGBT students. I have heard the students testify to that over and over again. I believe them.
There is also little doubt that JROTC graduates and instructors suffer discrimination. I do not believe the proponents of Proposition V. There are three tangible benefits for JROTC participation denied open LGBT graduates of JROTC: (1) enlistment at a higher grade of E2 or E3, meaning greater pay: (2) eligibility for ROTC scholarships and ROTC credit; and (3) eligibility for nominations to the military academies.
That is discrimination. It is against the law for openly LGBT high school graduates to openly serve in the U.S. military. That is discrimination.
JROTC instructors are not subject to “the city’s JROTC hiring practices” as the B.A.R. reports [“JROTC ballot measure debated,” August 14]. The Pentagon chooses the instructors (often not college graduates) from both the retired and active duty pool. If you are openly LGBT in the military, it is unlikely that you get to retirement and you definitely are not on active duty.
The San Francisco Unified School District has banned educational partnerships with outside organizations that discriminate against any group based upon sexual orientation. That is why the school board voted to phase out JROTC. The school board’s JROTC Alternative Program Task Force recommended an alternative four-year pilot program “Leadership Pathway” that is being piloted in Lincoln and Balboa High Schools in 2008-2009.
Bay Area Reporter
Thursday August 21, 2008