Apology Sought for Outed Lesbian

A public campaign has been launched by the American Civil Liberties Union to force an apology from the Rapid City, S.D., police department for outing Jene Newsome, a lesbian Air Force sergeant who was eventually discharged.

Police officers saw an Iowa marriage certificate in her home and told officials at the nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base that Newsome is a lesbian. She received an honorable discharge under the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Rapid City police chief Steve Allender claims his officers acted appropriately, but ACLU South Dakota executive director Robert Doody says he is not satisfied with the police department's response to a complaint filed on behalf of Newsome. The ACLU is asking people to send letters to Rapid City officials seeking an apology.