News
Lesbian Soldier Outed By Police
A lesbian sergeant in the U.S Air Force has been discharged from duty after police outed her to the military.
When police officers visited Jene Newsome's Dakota home in
an attempt to arrest her partner on theft charges, they allegedly discovered an
Iowa marriage license on the kitchen table, visible through a window.
Police Chief Steve Allender defends the Rapid City Police
Department's actions in a statement sent to the Associated Press saying "the
license was relevant to the investigation because it showed both the
relationship and residency of the two women." He also claims that once the
license was discovered, the Air Force was "privileged to that
information."
Newsome claims the police informed the military as an act of
retaliation for her lack of cooperation in the arrest of her partner.
She and the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota have filed
a complaint, saying the officers violated her privacy. They are
considering whether to file a lawsuit against the police department.
Ms Newsome told reporters: "I played by Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
