First, I’d like to say how excited I am at the prospect of rejoining the Air Force. I’m ready to return to my unit – the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron – and I am very much looking forward to flying with them again. The men and women in the unit are like family members to me, and I’ve been waiting a long time to rejoin them.
I served my country honorably for nearly two decades. And then suddenly I was considered unacceptable because of whom I love. That made no sense to me.
I’ve made valuable contributions to the Air Force throughout my career, and I still have skills to offer. All I’ve ever wanted to do was help our troops when they need it and work with my fellow medics. Wounded personnel have never asked me about my sexual orientation. They were just glad to see me.
In September, I participated in a six-day trial in Tacoma – my hometown – about whether I should be allowed to rejoin the Air Force. It was an intense and exciting experience, to say the least. It warmed my heart to hear former members of my unit testify about what I knew to be true – that my sexual orientation was a non-issue for the men and women I served with. I was so gratified when the judge found that my presence in the unit in no way harmed military cohesion, and that what hurt morale actually was my dismissal from the unit.
I have been waiting for the past two months to see what the government would do about the court order that I be reinstated to the Air Force. I was disappointed that they chose to appeal, but I’m very pleased that they did not seek a stay of the ruling – that I will be able to resume my career in the Air Force in the not-too-distant future. That’s why I undertook this lawsuit.
At the same time, I am very aware that Congress will soon hold hearings on “Don’t Ask. Don’t Tell” – the policy that caused me to be dismissed. There are 65,000 good people out there serving in the military today who are forced to lie about who they are – and to feel shame about lying – because of this policy.
I hope the day comes soon when everyone can serve openly and honorably, and no one will be treated like a second-class citizen. Many people forget that the U.S. military is the most diverse workforce in the world – we are extremely versed in adaptation. I hope our elected leaders will repeal this unnecessary and unjust policy.
And I look forward to being called just a flight nurse, not a lesbian flight nurse.
