They highlighted the University’s decision to continue to allow military recruiters on campus, even though their presence violates Harvard’s non-discrimination policy (please see related story, page A-1).
Sarah R. Boonin, who will graduate from HLS in June, recalled an interview she attended for the Judge Advocate General (JAG) legal corps of the military, which does not accept openly gay or lesbian members into its ranks.
“After 45 minutes of really intense discussion, the [interviewer] said, ‘You know, this has been a really interesting, difficult discussion. I want you to know that you haven’t said anything that would disqualify you,’” Boonin said.
Boonin then informed the interviewer that she was lesbian.
“And she said, ‘Oh, well now you have.’ That ended my military career,” Boonin said as the audience roared with laughter.
Following the discussions, Amanda C. Goad, president of HLS Lambda—the successor of COGLI—said she valued the opportunity to hear the perspectives of the alumni.
“Some things really graphically changed, especially the climate of the rest of the U.S. in regards to these issues. On the other hand, a lot of things are still the same,” Goad said.
“There’s still a lot of confusion about how many gay students really are around, and if they’re not out, why not? Do we really have any faculty support?” she said.
Joblin, the 1968 graduate, said he was unhappy with the climate at the law school as described by the current students.
“I was very disappointed to hear the students’ part of the presentation with respect to having trouble finding a really strong sponsor for the Lambda organization and the lack of scholarly activity in the area of gay and lesbian legal issues at the law school,” Joblin said.
“I’m used to thinking of Harvard as a leader in everything; they don’t seem to be a leader in that area right now, and I find that very disappointing.”
As the reunion’s final event, a dinner held at the Hyatt Regency hotel, HLS Dean Elena Kagan renewed her commitment to improving student life for all students on campus and keynote speaker William B. Rubenstein, Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law, said Harvard “could do much, much more” to support its GLBT students.
Geoffrey C. Upton ’99, who graduated from HLS in June and served as the chair of the reunion committee, deemed the reunion a success, despite a smaller turnout than the 150 alumni expected.
“Dinner was all we could have hoped for. I only wish that more people would have come. I think next time, when there is a next time, we’re going to do all we can to really plan further in advance and get more people,” Upton, who was also a Crimson editor, said.
In past years, HLS has also hosted reunions for women and African-American alumni.