Post Date: October 9, 2003
The conference will begin on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the Austin West classroom. The first day will feature a keynote address by C. Dixon Osburn, president of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. The second day will include a morning panel entitled “Gay Hawks, Queer Doves: Why Should We Want In?” followed by an afternoon panel entitled “Unconstitutional Conditions, Spending Power and the Solomon Amendment.” All events are free and open to the public.
BACKGROUND
Solomon Amendment: The Solomon Amendment, which became law in 1996, gives the secretary of defense the power to deny federal funds to institutions of higher education that limit ROTC or military recruitment on campus. Most American law schools require all on-campus recruiters to sign a statement of nondiscrimination. The U.S. military has been unable meet this requirement due to its “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward gays and lesbians.
Lawrence v. Texas: Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Lawrence v. Texas that anti-sodomy laws are unconstitutional.