"They can't get elected because they're crazy, so they write the platform," he joked.

Several students who attended said they were impressed by May's command of the issues.

"I thought he handled himself really well juggling the issues...He managed to put them all together in a manner that makes sense," said Stephanie L. Coon '01, an English concentrator in Kirkland House.

May's sister, Shannon K. May '99-'00, was also present at the lecture. She applauded her brother's fight against "don't ask, don't tell."

"I think he's a strong example for many men and women in the service," she said.

A military panel recommended that May be discharged from the Army Reserve because he acknowledged his sexual orientation while on active status at a February 1999 hearing.

He contends that he was speaking as a citizen and then a public servant. He also points to a flawless service record as reason to allow him to remain.

"I'm going to appeal [the decision]. There's no reason for me to be discharged based on who I am and not because of my behavior," May said.