Military Gay Ban Challenged in the Wake of SCOTUS Sodomy Ruling

Liberation Publication Breaking News ^ | July 7, 2003 | staff report

[ewing]

Citing the precedent set by the US Supreme Court ruling in the Texas sodomy case, a decorated Vietnam Combat Veteran filed suit late yesterday with the US Court of Federal Claims challenging the constitutionality of the 'don't ask, dont tell' policy.

The challenge filed by LTC Steve Loomis, who was ousted from the Army for being gay just 8 days prior to his 20 year retirement date in 1997, also challenges the federal anti sodomy statute covering the military.

The lawsuit is based on the recent US Supreme Court opinion in Lawrence v. Texas which declared that the Texas Sodomy Statute violated the Consitiution's guarantee of the right to privacy. Loomis suit seeks to reverse the discharge.

The challenge is the first of several likely to be filed in the wake of Lawrence according to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

'Lawrence has a direct impact on the federal sodomy statute and the military's gay ban, said SLDN Executive Director C. Dixon Osbourne.

[ewing]

Here we go..opening Pandoras freaky box

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[OPS4]

The scrotum report!

[The Old Hoosier]

But it's just the right to privacy...

[adam_az]

How could he be a Vietname Vet if he was going to celebrate his 20 year military anniversary in 1997?

The Vietnam conflict was long over by 1977!!!

Unless he quit and then reupped later?

[codercpc]

I knew the Pandoras box had been opened, but in this case (at least whats written up here), I am with the soldier.

To be 8 days shy of his retirement. I have more respect of our men and woman serving our Country than to say,"WOW, your gay, you don't get any benefits."

[longtermmemmory]

and now the Dancing Soddomites.....


Where is the foodgate picture.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Nope, this question has already been settled elsewhere.

He can sue, he will not win.

[ewing]

The San Francisco crowd is going to find the best case they possibly can, that is why they are sending the Purple Heart Vietnam decorated vet up first..

[MineralMan]

"The challenge filed by LTC Steve Loomis, who was ousted from the Army for being gay just 8 days prior to his 20 year retirement date in 1997, also challenges the federal anti sodomy statute covering the military."

Whatever the result of this, the person served almost 20 years in our military, and has been denied his pension by being booted 8 days before retirement.

I don't care if he's gay or straight or likes sheep. That's just wrong.

[Luis Gonzalez]

There is no "right to privacy" in the military.

[scan59]

He could have simply kept his mouth shut. It's his own fault.

[Luis Gonzalez]

BTW, I'm with you on this.

I would not be surprised if this was done intentionally.

[ewing]

Yes, but my guess is that he 'came out' publicly to force a court case right before his retirement.

[PatrioticAmerican]

I bet no security clearance can be denied based on this SC ruling. If slamming other men in the butt isn't perversion, then neither is anything else.

[MineralMan]

"He could have simply kept his mouth shut. It's his own fault."

Well, I don't know the details of his discharge 8 days before retirement, and I don't think you do either. As a veteran, myself, I recognize that this guy, whatever his sexual side, served just 8 days short of 20 years.

They could have put him on leave for those 8 days or done something else. This feels like some sort of vindictive act on someone's part.

[Mo1]

The challenge filed by LTC Steve Loomis, who was ousted from the Army for being gay just 8 days prior to his 20 year retirement date in 1997, also challenges the federal anti sodomy statute covering the military.

He spends 20 years in the military but comes out of the closet 8 DAYS before retiring??

[MineralMan]

"Yes, but my guess is that he 'came out' publicly to force a court case right before his retirement."

In 1997? I doubt it. I don't know many folks who would risk their retirement pay over such a thing. He's going to have an excellent case here, and will probably win. I suspect that someone had it in for this guy and forced the issue just before his 20th anniversary.

Military retirement is a benefit of service, and is well-deserved, given the low pay in our military. To deprive this guy of it 8 days before eligibility is just plain wrong. He served. He should get his retirement.

I imagine if they just gave it to him, this whole suit would go away.

[sfvgt]

.......join the army.....go around the world for real!

[MineralMan]

"He spends 20 years in the military but comes out of the closet 8 DAYS before retiring??"

Doesn't seem likely to me. I'd guess he was outed by someone who had a grudge. Wrong.