Yesterday, a lawyer for Major Margaret Witt, a decorated flight nurse discharged under the current DADT policy after being outed by a civilian, urged a federal judge to reinstate her to the Air Force Reserve, and the judge has indicated he might not have another choice but to do so.
U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton stated he would issue his ruling on the case this Friday and expressed serious doubts whether or not the government’s arguments seeking to have Witt’s dismissal upheld would be supported.
The judge said his ruling would be based on a 2008 appeals court ruling that said the armed forces can’t dismiss servicemembers for being gay unless that dismissal is proven to be necessary to further military goals.
If Witt is reinstated, it will not have any bearing on other individuals who have been victim of the discriminatory policy, yet it would be a baby step in the right direction.
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