Just to update an item from last week, the AP reported that the Army interrogated Bleu Copas, a decorated sergeant and Arabic language specialist, about being gay before ultimately forcing him out of the military. As part of the questioning, Army officials asked Copas 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.”
Some commenters understandably paused on the last one. Did the Army really ask that? Does the Army really consider involvement in community theater to be reserved for gays? Justin Rood contacted Copas directly and got the whole story. Apparently, officials really did ask the question, but there may have been a reason.
“The informant, whoever he was, had a conversation with me on an internet chat room, and I mentioned involvement in community theater — I had rehearsal, or something,” Copas explained.
So did the investigator ask the question in order to identify you as the person with whom this anonymous informant had chatted? Or because community theater involvement was evidence of homosexual tendencies?
“I think a little of both,” said Copas, “but I would just be guessing.”
For what it’s worth, now that Copas’ military career has been cut short, he’s joined a new community theater project, in which he’ll play the lead in “Bye Bye Birdie.” He could be translating sensitive Arabic communiqués right now, but the Army apparently believes this is a better use of Copas’ time.