Monday, July 31, 2006

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been Involved In Community Theatre?

Interviewed on the campus of East Tennessee State University, a 30-year old decorated sergeant and linguist given the boot by the Army, has an odd story. Seems he is guilty of being gay, but more oddly is the investigation into the life of Bleu Copas.

Investigators wanted to know if he had been active in community theatre.

Is the new policy "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Be In a Play"?

"
I knew the policy going in," Copas said in an interview on the campus of East Tennessee State University, where he is pursuing a master's degree in counseling and working as a student adviser. "I knew it was going to be difficult."

An eight-month Army investigation culminated in Copas' honorable discharge on Jan. 30 - less than four years after he enlisted, he said, out of a post-Sept. 11 sense of duty to his country."

(Snip)

"On Dec. 2, investigators formally interviewed Copas and asked if he understood the military's policy on homosexuals, if he had any close acquaintances who were gay, and if he was involved in community theater. He answered affirmatively.

But Copas declined to answer when they asked, "Have you ever engaged in homosexual activity or conduct?" He refused to answer 19 of 47 questions before he asked for a lawyer and the interrogation stopped.

Copas said he accepted the honorable discharge to end the ordeal, to avoid lying about his sexuality and risking a perjury charge, and to keep friends from being targeted."

(via MetaFilter)

10 comments:

  1. I heard they even call the boys thespians too!

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  2. Joe, I was a theater major and I did Dinner Theater. I even sang.
    Jesus.

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  3. I am an art fag. I'll never make it in the military.

    *sigh*

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  4. heh heh ... guess the folks at the recruitment offices need to ask that "drama" question at the start of interviews .....

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  5. Anonymous9:03 AM

    I'm curious to know what the criteria for dismissal is. I think Arthur Miller is worthy of commendation, whereas anyone caught in a Neil Simon show should be dishonorably discharged immediately. Of course, Edward Albee and Tennessee Williams should be scrutinized solely based upon the director's interpretation and whether or not the men pine for men while screwing women or simply sashay about, spouting floral but mindless verse.

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  6. Anonymous10:02 AM

    One word - Musicals!

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  7. Anonymous10:55 AM

    ...whereas anyone caught in a Neil Simon show should be dishonorably discharged immediately.

    *sob* Now I'll never get my stripes!

    (They do have stripes, don't they?)

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  8. since the military is all volunteer, isn't that a lot like a community theatre?

    oh ... no wonder we're in trouble ....

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  9. All I can say is that I hope someone is working on the Broadway Musical based on this guys story.

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  10. Hmmm, Kelvis .... wonder what they could call it??

    Anyone??

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