Lesbian ex-cadet gives up West Point dream
Academy holds out hope after repeal
By Michael Hill
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ALBANY, N.Y. - A lesbian former cadet from Ohio, who left West Point saying she couldn't live a lie, said she is giving up her dream of graduating from the academy after she was rejected for readmission yesterday because of the lingering military ban on gays.
Katherine Miller said in a statement that she plans to graduate from Yale University, which she's now attending, and join the military through officer candidate school.
"Although I am deeply saddened that I will not be readmitted to West Point, I understand and respect the decision," said the 21-year-old from Findlay, in northwestern Ohio.
She said that although she had always wanted to serve alongside her comrades as an equal, "I harbor no resentment toward the military, and I look forward to the day they deem it appropriate for me to put the uniform back on."
Miller left West Point last year and soon became a public face of the effort to repeal the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell," which bars gays and lesbians from serving openly. But she missed the storied upstate New York academy and applied as the government moved to repeal.
In announcing Miller's rejection, West Point issued a statement explaining that it couldn't accept Miller because of the still-existing ban but hinting that re-entry wouldn't be a problem for her in the future.
"While at the academy Ms. Miller remained in good standing and had done exceptionally well academically, militarily and physically," said Lt. Col. Sherri Reed, director of public affairs at West Point.
"The choice to seek re-admission is available to her once the repeal process is completed."
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