A lesbian flight nurse says she's anxiously waiting to rejoin her unit in the U.S. Air Force reserve. Major Margaret Witt was discharged in 2004 under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-937629.mp3
In September, a federal judge in Tacoma ruled Witt's firing under "don't ask, don't tell" violated her rights. U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton ordered that she be given her job back as soon as she met qualifications for the position. The federal government has appealed the decision.
At a news conference at the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington offices in Seattle, Witt and her attorneys said they've heard informally that the government is unlikely to block Witt's reinstatement while the case works its way through the appeals process.
Meanwhile, Witt says she longs for the day when the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is rescinded and gays and lesbians are able to serve openly. "I hope that soon I'll be known just as a flight nurse, instead of a lesbian flight nurse," Witt said.
Witt says she would like to rejoin her reserve unit as early as the third weekend of December, which would be her regular weekend to be on duty.