On May 21, the federal appeals court in California reinstated a lawsuit challenging the military’s anti-gay “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
The case was brought by Maj. Margaret Witt—a decorated officer who served in the Air Force for 20 years and was used in promotional materials before being discharged. Witt and her partner kept their relationship private for six years while living in Spokane, Wash., 250 miles from the base she was assigned to.
Witt challenged “don’t ask, don’t tell” on the basis that it violates the Constitution’s due process and equal protection clauses.
In 2006, the case was dismissed by a federal district court in Tacoma, Wash. The new ruling reinstates Witt’s case but returns it to the same judge that dismissed it.
Anti-gay bigotry is a ruling class instrument to divide and weaken the working class.
