News
2006-04-28
Lesbian
soldier says she feared filing harassment claims
A female soldier
testified that she didn't report alleged incidents of
sexual harassment and assault by a superior because
A female soldier
testified that she didn't report alleged incidents of
sexual harassment and assault by a superior because she is a
lesbian and feared that she might get discharged if
others found out. The woman revealed she was a lesbian
in testimony Tuesday at the Pennsylvania trial of
former sergeant Douglas Walters, a member of the Army
Reserve Unit 298th Maintenance Co.
"I did not want to make waves. I had a personal
life I wanted to keep separate from the Army," the
woman testified.
The Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy
prohibits the military from asking about the
sexual orientation of service members and requires
those who acknowledge being gay or engage in homosexual
activity to be discharged.
"People in the Army don't know I dated girls,"
the woman testified. "If I made waves, I was afraid
I'd get discharged for it."
The revelation surprised courtroom observers.
When asked by defense attorney Norman Callan why she
waited until trial to reveal her sexual orientation,
the woman replied, "You asked, and I told." Callan
asked for a recess after her testimony.
County prosecutors said Walters, 47, of Altoona,
Pa., verbally harassed the woman over a long period of
time. He was charged with aggravated indecent assault
and indecent assault after he allegedly assaulted the
woman in his car in July.
The woman testified that she was ordered by
Walters to accompany him on a shopping trip and that
refusing the order could have led to military
discipline. The woman reported the incident the next day to
another sergeant after he noticed that she looked
depressed. A superior then told Logan Township police.
Blair County assistant district attorney Ilissa
Zimmerman said the jury had to decide if contact
between Walters and the woman was consensual. Walters
has admitted to the Army that he violated military
regulations, although his attorney argued that
Walters's actions might not be criminal. (AP)
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