Court Rules in Favor of Air Force Major Discharged on Grounds of Sexual...
Update: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in December 2008 rejected the government's request to reconsider its ruling that reinstated a lawsuit challenging the dismissal of Major Margaret...
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Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Under Fire: As the case of ACLU-WA client Major Margaret Witt moves toward trial on Sept. 13, two of our state’s major dailies weigh in against the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t...
View ArticleDADT on Trial: A "Dynamic" and "Exceptional" Service Member
“Dynamic officer” … “A vital team player” …”Exceptional flight nurse” … “Excellent role model” … “Always ready to support the mission.” ACLU of Washington Legal Director Sarah Dunne led off her opening...
View ArticleDADT on Trial: Maj. Witt's Dismissal "Negatively Impacted the Unit"
After opening statements, Jim Schaffer, current Spokane Fire Department Captain and former member of the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (Maj. Witt's squadron), began his testimony. Before...
View ArticleDADT On Trial: "In the Military, Trust is Essential"
Day 2 of Witt v. Air Force started with testimony from Darren Manzella, who served in the Army for six years as a health care specialist after enlisting in 2002 and was twice deployed to the Middle...
View ArticleDADT on Trial: Like “Extracting a Parent from the Family”
Testimony from former members of Maj. Witt’s unit, the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, filled the third day of the trial. Leading off was Jill Robinson, who spent 23 years in the Air Force....
View ArticleDADT on Trial: Decision Expected Friday!
The landmark trial of Maj. Margaret Witt wrapped up yesterday, and Judge Ronald B. Leighton announced that he will deliver his decision this Friday at 1:30 PM PDT.The Seattle Post-Intelligencer...
View ArticleA Family Reunion
Today, in Federal District Court, Judge Ronald Leighton ordered that the Air Force reinstate Major Margaret Witt, a dedicated flight nurse that had been dismissed under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell...
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DADT Brings Chaos: "What a mess." So observes Tacoma's The News Tribune as it looks at the latest developments in the legal battle over lesbians and gays in the armed services. Says the TNT: "The...
View ArticleAir Force Major Dismissed Under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to Rejoin the Military
Major Margaret Witt, a decorated flight nurse who had been dismissed under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, will be able to resume her service with the U.S. Air Force, the ACLU of Washington...
View ArticleAir Force Major Dismissed Under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Looks Ahead to...
Major Margaret Witt, a decorated flight nurse who was dismissed under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2006, spoke today about her eagerness to rejoin the U.S. Air Force. When reinstated, Major...
View ArticleFinal Settlement to Landmark Lawsuit: Major Witt to Retire with Full Benefits
After Landmark Lawsuit, Maj. Margaret Witt to Retire with Full BenefitsMajor Margaret Witt, a decorated flight nurse who had been dismissed under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, has reached a final...
View ArticleRemembering an Earlier Successful Mission
Last week, the ACLU of Washington celebrated the courage of Major Margaret Witt and the conclusion of her five-year battle against the Air Force for unlawfully discharging her under the “Don’t Ask,...
View ArticleTitle IX and Lessons for Life
From her career as an athlete came some important lessons: “Don’t fear a challenge, welcome it.” “The game ain’t over till it’s over – there are many quarters, many innings, and you have to play every...
View ArticleMaj. Witt Salutes Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Sept. 20th marks the end of DADT. It also marks the end of decades of discrimination against gays in this country by our own military. Almost 14000 military members were discharged since 1993 under...
View ArticleACLU Files Suit Challenging Dismissal of Lesbian Major in Air Force
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today filed a lawsuit in United States District Court for the Western District of Washington challenging the discharge of a much-decorated major and...
View ArticleWitt v. U.S. Air Force
Body: The ACLU challenged the 2004 dismissal of Maj. Margaret Witt, a much-decorated major and flight nurse in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, on grounds that she has engaged in "homosexual conduct."
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