Cadet Katherine Miller, who ranked 9th in her class at West Point, has resigned from the Academy. Pam's House Blend has the entire story.
Another "Profile in Courage."
She will be leaving West Point and going to Yale. Lucky Yale!
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I have created a heterosexual dating history to recite to fellow cadets when they inquire. I have endured unwanted approaches by male cadets for fear of being accused as a lesbian by rejecting or reporting these events. I have been coerced into ignoring derogatory comments towards homosexuals for fear of being alienated for my viewpoint. In short, I have lied to my classmates and compromised my integrity and my identity by adhering to existing military policy. While at the academy, I have made a deliberate effort to develop myself academically, physically, and militarily, but in terms of holistic personal growth I have reached a plateau. I am unwilling to suppress an entire portion of my identity any longer because it has taken a significant personal, mental, and social toll on me and detrimentally affected my professional development. I have experienced a relentless cognitive dissonance by attempting to adhere to §654 [colloquially known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"] and retain my integrity, and I am retrospectively convinced that I am unable to live up to the Army Values as long as the policy remains in place.
I've been waiting for an excuse to share this video with you.
The Common Values panel at NN10 did a segment on LGBT issues. That part of the panel begins at the 12:00 minute mark and runs to 18:55 mark.
The speaker is Rev. Rebecca Voelkel of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. This website Welcoming Resources...Towards a Welcoming and Inclusive Church is on her business card and she told me that we should feel free to copy from it!
I couldn't find a transcript, if any one else does, let me know and I'll post it.
Video of the Common Values Panel at NN10
The Commandment Posters are my favorite!
"Love SOME of thy neighbors"
"Blessed are those who discriminate"