THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 2, 1994 TAG: 9412020563
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SAN FRANCISCO LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
In a surprising decision, a Navy tribunal decided Thursday that Lt. Zoe Dunning's career in the Reserves should not end with the statement ``I am a lesbian.''
A board of inquiry unanimously ruled that Dunning had proved she would not engage in homosexual acts, in line with the military's ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy.
Dunning stood, her hands clenched, while the findings were being read. Afterward, she smiled briefly as she clasped lawyer Greg Bonfiglio's hands.
Dunning's attorneys had maintained that when she made the statement ``I am a lesbian'' at a January 1993 rally, she was merely indicating her sexual orientation.
``She felt that to continue to hide who she was would be a lie,'' Bonfiglio said.
He had warned the board that discharging Dunning would mean ``needlessly destroying the career of a dedicated, distinguished officer.''
KEYWORDS: GAYS IN THE MILITARY U.S. NAVY by CNB