The , a paper published for the U.S. military, is reporting that petty officer second class Jason Knight, who was discharged under the military's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy, is back on active duty. He told the Navy he was gay after annulling his marriage and explaining the circumstances to his superiors:
The Stars & Stripes: “But now — whether through a clerical oversight or what some claim is an unwritten change in policy to keep more gay servicemembers in the ranks at a time of war — Jason Knight is back on active duty. Since promoted to petty officer second class, Knight is finishing a scheduled one-year tour in Kuwait with Naval Customs Battalion Bravo.”
The Navy has not commented on Knight's case, but Servicemen's Legal Defense Network says it displays a hypocrisy on the part of the armed forces and further reveals the armed forces policy to be discriminatory and unnecessary. Said SLDN director of law and policy Sharra Greer: “Petty Officer Knight's story shatters the myth that openly gay troops undermine unit cohesion or morale. The Pentagon knows full well that lesbians and gays are good service members. If military leaders believe otherwise, then they need to explain why gay troops are being called back to active duty and sent to the frontlines. SLDN applauds the Navy for recognizing Knight's talent and qualification. Now the time has come to allow every gay service member to serve openly, and to repeal ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'”
The paper notes that Knight, already kicked out of the Navy once, now sees no need to hide the fact that he's gay. Said Knight of his recall: “I thought it was a joke at first. It was the ultimate kick in the ass. But then I thought, there isn't much they can do to me they haven't done the first time.”
Discharged gay sailor is called back to active duty
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