Posted on Jan 11, 2018
The Air Force expelled her in 1955 for being a lesbian. Now, at 90, she is fighting back.
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"The Times They are a Changing"
The Air Force expelled her in 1955 for being a lesbian. Now, at 90, she is fighting back.
Posted from washingtonpost.com
LGBTQ+
Discharge
Honorable Discharge
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 5
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Not saying it was right, not saying she doesn't deserve the honorable discharge, but some of the rhetoric in this article is a little over the top. Case in point:
“It has crippled her throughout her life,” James’s attorney, J. Cacilia Kim, told The Post. “This is really so she’s not treated as a second-class citizen anymore.”
The previous paragraph begins, "James went on to a very successful life after the military." Later in the article it talks about her receiving advanced degrees, working with Olympic athletes, etc. Did the "undesirable" discharge affect her? Absolutely. Did it "cripple" her? I would argue that language is a bit too strong.
“It has crippled her throughout her life,” James’s attorney, J. Cacilia Kim, told The Post. “This is really so she’s not treated as a second-class citizen anymore.”
The previous paragraph begins, "James went on to a very successful life after the military." Later in the article it talks about her receiving advanced degrees, working with Olympic athletes, etc. Did the "undesirable" discharge affect her? Absolutely. Did it "cripple" her? I would argue that language is a bit too strong.
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SPC Robert Coventry
I really don't know how I feel, she should get an Honorable discharge because she didn't finish her enlistment, maybe a general under honorable. What are your thoughts RP?
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LCDR (Join to see)
SPC Robert Coventry - If you read the article, she already upgraded to a "general under honorable conditions" back in the 60s.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel It was 1955, this is 2018. It was a different time and attitude then. GET OVER IT!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
MSgt Stephen Council I See Nothing Wrong with Correcting a Wrong since it isn't a "Thing" Anymore. She Should have an Honorable Discharge and be Eligible for Benefits. If It Takes the Washington Post and the Supreme Court to make it Happen, So Be It.
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MSgt Stephen Council
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - Again, get over it. it was 62 years ago. It serves no purpose but to open a flood gate and create a paperwork nightmare for active duty and support staff that have REAL work to do.
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A1C Ian Williams
The military will always be held to a higher standard. We should be accountable for the past and make things better for the future for other people in her position in present day. Thank you for sharing your opinion. MSgt Stephen Council
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Thank you for posting this PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Let's see the review. Paperwork is still billable hours. I even know some people who would donate their time to see justice served.
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