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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 30, 2008)
MAY 30, 2006 justputl« claims he prayed about the issue before deciding to step down. School District 5 of Lexington & Richland Counties posted the following message on its Web site: “The principal of Irmo High School has resigned, effective the end of the 2008-09 school year, citing personal principles related to a request to establish a Gay Straight Alliance club at the school. Although the district regrets the princi pal’s decision, attorneys have advised that the fed eral Equal Access Act stipulates that if a school has permitted the formation of any noncurricular clubs, discrimination against the establishment of a new club based on its purpose and viewpoint is prohibited. Any noncurricular club must be al lowed to form, provided the club is lawful.” WASHINGTON Court Rules for Dismissed Gay Air Force Major The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Cir cuit reinstated a lawsuit May 21 challenging the dismissal of Maj. Margaret Witt, a decorated U.S. Air Force flight nurse, on grounds that she engaged in homosexual conduct. The American Civil Lib erties Union is representing her in appealing a low er court ruling that rejected the suit in July 2006. The Court of Appeals ruled that the Air Force must prove that discharging Witt is necessary for purposes of military readiness. While the ruling leaves in place the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, the court found that before discharging a soldier, the military must prove that the individ ual’s conduct actually hurt morale or jeopardized another government interest. The case has been remanded to federal district court in Tacoma to consider the case under the appellate court’s stan dard of review. “Maj. Margaret Witt has been an exemplary member of the military with a distinguished re cord of service. To discharge her simply because of her sexual orientation is unfair to her and also is unwise for the military, which needs her skills,” said Kathleen Taylor, ACLU of Washington ex ecutive director. A 1986 graduate of Pacific Lutheran Univer sity, Witt is a flight nurse and operating room nurse assigned to McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma. During her 19-year career in the Air Force, she has served in the Persian Gulf, has re ceived many medals and commendations and has always had superb evaluations from her superiors. In 1993 she was selected to be the “poster child” for the Air Force Nurse Corps recruitment flier. From 1997 to 2003, Witt was in a committed relation ship with another woman, a civilian. In the summer of 2004, Witt was notified that the Air Force had be gun an investigation into an allegation that she had en gaged in homosexual con duct. In November 2004, she was placed on unpaid leave and told she could no longer participate in any military duties, pending formal separa tion proceedings. In March 2006, the Air Force informed Witt that she was being administratively discharged on grounds of ho mosexual conduct. The law suit seeks to reverse the deci sion and to prevent the Air Force from otherwise hamper ing her military career. U.S. Air Force Maj. Margaret Wrtt scored a victory for gays in the military when a lawsuit challenging her dismissal for being lesbian was reinstated May 21. Compiled by J aymee R. C uti — ▼ ▼ Cha Cha L®® rn D ain IGJ üüi W Rumba Dance f ▼ ▼ ▼ Country Swing Waltz Foxtrot . www.outdancing.info 503-236-5129 ................................... . ....... 1 ML our new Come in for your 30 min. Happy Hour facial 3-6 Mon-Sai. This includes a men's skin fitness kit. Mossifc Therapies r--_— r— * UKTfy WM1 V u M&TM m K en R eader BUY. PASSADOREpROPERTIES RENT. 503.292.8595 www.passadoreproperties.com SELL. REAL ESTATE SERVICES GROUP WWW^tMStttSMl.CtN fctfO<a fOUKtreSMl.COM Cascade Women’s Health, RC. 1040 NW 22nd, Suite 330 D 1 J mo1 n 1 Ortland, Olx 9/Z IU E E /CWHll. Cascade Women's Health, P.C. Physicians and Surgeons 503.274.9936 • www.CascadeWomensHeakh.org j JL L TO1A-H. COLLINS, M d Specializing in Gynecology (including insemination) and Gynecological surgery Serious Injury & Death Cases Wrongful Death • Medical Malpractice • Serious Accidents • Brain Injuries Trucking Accidents • Spinal (ord Injuries • Nursing Home Abuse • Therapist Malpractice Over 17 Years Experience • Top “AV” Rating Proudly serving our community since 1989 Halo J. Gores, Attorney Free Consultation 503-295-1940 • 800-795-8945 www.goreslaw.com Holding Insurance Companies Accountable
