Lesbian Air Force Sergeant Jene Newsome was a poster child for how the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is supposed to work in the U.S. armed forces.
She didn't disclose her sexuality, and she had no problems - until officers from the Rapid City, South Dakota, police department discovered her sexual orientation. They told military officials she was gay, and now Newsome is without her military career.
Newsome and the ACLU have filed complaints against the police, claiming they violated her right to privacy when they informed the military about Newsome's sexual orientation after seeing a copy of her marriage certificate in her home. Police were at the home in search of Newsome's partner, who was wanted on theft charges in Alaska.
It is unfortunate that Newsome had her career derailed by these police bigmouths who had no right to out her to her military commanders. The only good thing that should come out of this case is a fat settlement check from the police made out to Newsome for wrecking her career when she decides to file suit.
This case also points out the problems of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that is currently under review by the Obama administration. The law allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military but allows for their dismissal if they openly acknowledge their sexual orientation.
Police, in search for Newsome's partner, supposedly saw Newsome's marriage license in the kitchen of her home while looking through the window. Police argue that the license was relevant to the case, because it showed the relationship between the two women.
Newsome said she believes police outed her, because she didn't cooperate with their investigation of her partner.
Either way, it seems to me police were simply snooping. And the fact they took that information about Newsome's sexual orientation to her superiors and got her discharged is unconscionable.
Comments: (18)
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By: ZeeCee on 3/15/2010 2:37PM
We must ensure that the Obama Administration ends DADT - we are loosing a lot of talented LGBT Military personnel because of this law!
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By: john on 3/16/2010 2:29PM
By: ZeeCee on 3/15/2010 2:37PM
We must ensure that the Obama Administration ends DADT - we are loosing a lot of talented LGBT Military personnel because of this law!
>>>> I support the DADT policy. Losing a lot of talented LGBT-yes, but the fact that talent in this country is so abundant the lost is nothing more than a whisper in the wind. It is like an innocent man who defends himself against an attacking wife or g/f; he is arrested for self-defense domestic violence and the primary aggressor under current law goes free or charge with a misdeaminor simple assault-not domestic violence(she avoids the domestic violence tag because of her gender). Does anyone care if the talent of this innocent man has been lose? No, so you can't expect much sympathy. There are many victims who are innocent yet victimized.
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By: Andrew on 3/16/2010 4:14PM
Wake up we do so need to know who is who in the military. Here is an example for you to think about if someone had a choice in who to save if their lover was in trouble reguardless as to how many others could get hurt, guess who gets preferential treatment i rest my case
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By: amishfarmer on 3/15/2010 1:43PM
I usually do not support the cops on too many issues but I will on this one.
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By: sylvia on 3/17/2010 1:03AM
I am neither for nor am I against anyone's sexual choices. We are all of one Creator, who looks beyond many of our faults and life styles and loves us and is there for each of us anytime we are in need of Him. This young lady didn't worry about who she would be fighting for she just went about it that we all are equal and she risk her life for each one of those she fought beside. For the police to step into a military situation and make that disclosure I feel it as unjustified. It could be a member of his family would he or she have been so quick to provide such information? I think not. The only person that young lady really would have to answer to in time is God. Other then that it is none of our business to make decisons on anyone other then ourselves. And I am a christian woman and bibically I know we are NOT to marry the same sex. But it is NOT ANY OF OUR PLACES TO BE SO SUPERIOR FOR THERE IS ONLY ONE SUPERIOR THAT WE ALL MUST STAND BEFORE. So let's try and keep weeds out of our own yards and everything will be alright. The young lady need true prayers to pray for her not CONDEMN her.
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By: paul on 3/15/2010 4:10PM
Does it occur to anyone here that if she had just cooperated with the police and didn't try to harbor a fugitive she might not have all these problems?
She's living with a criminal on the run and she admits to being uncooperative with the investigation. That alone should be enough to get her discharged from the military, if not arrested for obstructing justice. I don't know why the fact that she's gay had to enter into the picture.
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By: sherri on 3/16/2010 11:15AM
The police were being a-holes.
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By: dawn on 3/19/2010 7:11AM
I believe it was stated in the report, that when the lady arrived home, her wife was there with the police. If that's true, why would the police have need to send any information to her superiors about her marriage? Is that something the police would have done if the couple were heterosexual? Send information about their relationship to the spouses boss? Was the information passed on simply out of spite, knowing she would be discharged? It's my belief that, law enforcement officials usually have problems, getting spouses, girlfriends, boyfriends, family,ect.. to help them trackdown and arrest loved ones.
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By: B on 3/15/2010 8:21PM
I have no respect for the police, but I agree with them on this as well. Hopefully she will get some help for the mental illness she is experiencing this point in her life.
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By: mzztommboi on 3/16/2010 7:16AM
What!!!! r u guys fried!!! What the hell does her sexual orientation have to do with her criminal girlfriend!! I don't c the po po's disclosing everyone else's relationship to their employers, what's up with that!!! They knew that the statement would effect her career, heck that's why they did it indeed!!! Couldn't get what they wanted so they outed her in hopes to do just that!! End her career!! Whatever her orientation, that is between her and god. I mean whats next, each time anyone is under suspicion there going to out our personal relationships to our family, employers, bill collectors, friends, damn!!! Rediculous!!! Anyway, war is war and do u think in war that bullets know that your gay???? Bless her for serving!! Heck can't say that for a lot of cops!!!
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