Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story Page #7

So how exactly can she be blackmailed

when her whole family's

already aware of what she is?

Who she is.

The Army doesn't care,

Far. They just want her out.

I'm not denying that

I said I was a lesbian.

Colonel Cammermeyer,

why did you disclose your sexual

orientation to the DIS Agent?

Because he asked, and it was the truth.

And I was being honest.

It seemed like that was the very

premise of everything I stood for

in my entire life and career.

I mean, if there was ever

a place to be truthful,

it's when you're being asked as part

of a top-secret security clearance.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- How's it going in there?

- It's a little early to know.

Hi.

- I'm glad you're here.

- Yeah, me, too.

- How are you doing?

- Okay.

- Why don't you take Far home?

- Sure.

Far, why don't you go home, all

right? This is gonna take a while.

You have a perfectly normal

life. Can they see that?

- Would you like to go with them?

- We can stay if you need us.

Why don't you go ahead? I'll

be there later, all right?

- You sure?

- Yeah, I'm sure.

- Okay.

- Okay.

- Make sure Far eats something.

- I will.

Okay.

Bye, guys. Bye.

She is such a valuable

asset to the military system.

And since there has been no record of,

let's say, social disruptions of any kind,

I recommend that this board

might consider a waiver

or variance or whatever

would be the proper wording

that would allow her to continue

functioning just as she has been.

So, you disagree with

Army policy and regulation

which provides that someone who

has admitted to being a homosexual

should be discharged.

Is that correct?

I understand I'm here

to present information

on her ability to function

in the military system.

But you do understand what Army

policy is in this case, do you not?

I don't wish to make a public

statement that I'm against Army policy.

I don't want to take on the Army policy.

Okay, sir.

Are you aware of any family members

whose relationship with your mother

has been damaged or affected by her

revealing her sexual orientation?

Her father lives with her.

My brothers have chosen to live with her.

Our relationship with

her has been strengthened.

If nothing else, it's been opened up.

I love my mother.

She's never pushed her ways on me.

She's never pushed her ways on anybody.

She said, "You're who you

are. Make the most of it. "

I think she should be

able to do that herself.

She made me part of the family.

We sit together and we watch TV and

we bawl our heads off on the sad shows

or we laugh together.

She taught me how to make Norwegian pies.

I mean, those are the kinds

of things we do together.

So whatever else she does

doesn't change my judgment of her.

It just makes me stronger in the fact that

I know she's doing what's right for her.

She was honest.

And that makes me very proud.

Paragraph 2- 37 of the Reg.

"Homosexuality is incompatible

with military service. "

Now, you may not agree with it,

but you'll have to admit

that's pretty unambiguous.

This board does not have the option to

disregard this policy or to change it.

That is up to people higher than

any of us in this room to do.

You, therefore, have no choice

except to recommend discharge.

Now, I know it is not a happy thing to do.

It is certainly not something that

any of us enjoy, including myself,

but it is inescapable.

As soldiers, we have to follow our

orders whether we agree with them or not.

Now, the defense has presented a case,

arguing that this policy is wrong.

I, as government counsel,

have not made any argument

that the policy is right.

I don't have to.

The policy is there.

And the policy is clear.

The government recommends

honorable discharge.

You've heard experts

testify that there are few,

if any, differences between

homosexuals and heterosexuals

in terms of mental health or sexual

conduct, including promiscuity.

You've heard the experts testify

that gays are not security risks,

that their sexual orientation does

not affect their job performance

nor their ability to lead.

That gays do not try to

convert heterosexuals.

That those are stereotypes

based in fear, not fact.

This case before you involves

one of our country's oldest

and most cherished traditions.

A tradition that we were

willing to go to war for,

to let members of our armed

services fight and die for.

And that's a tradition and

heritage of personal freedom.

The Pledge of Allegiance ends

with "liberty and justice for all. "

It doesn't say, "Except for homosexuals. "

At this time, my client,

Colonel Cammermeyer,

would like to make a statement.

This has been a crossroads for me,

whether to back down or to stand up

for what I truly believe is

my right as a human being.

That my career, my

abilities, my contribution,

have nothing to do with

my sexual orientation.

Throughout the world, the

only way change can be made

is by someone stepping

forth and exposing themselves

so that people become aware

that there are differences

and that that's okay.

So, I choose to be here,

to sit before you and my family

and be vulnerable,

in the hopes that I can be

a little bit of an influence

in making a change,

in allowing us to serve

as we have done in the past

and will continue to do in the future.

I appreciate your attentiveness,

and I thank you very much.

They're ready for us.

Would you stand, Margarethe?

I truly believe that you are one

of the great Americans, Margarethe.

And I've admired you for a long time

and the work you've done

for the Army National Guard.

I really mean that.

But it's my sad duty to

read what I'm going to read.

"Colonel Cammermeyer has proven to

be a great asset to both the active

"and the reserve component, the

medical profession as a whole.

"She has consistently

provided superb leadership

"and has many outstanding

accomplishments to her credit,

"both military and civilian.

"Notwithstanding, the Board finds

that Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer

"is a homosexual

"as defined in AR 135- 175

"and as evidenced by her statement

to the Defense Investigative Services

"on 28 April, 1989,

"and by her admission under oath

"to this Board that she is a lesbian.

"We recommend that Colonel Cammermeyer's

"federal recognition be withdrawn.

"And that upon her discharge from

the U.S. Army Reserve National Guard

"an Honorable Discharge Certificate

"should be awarded. "

Ten-hut!

As you were.

Thank you very much.

I'll miss all of you very much.

- It's been an honor to serve with you.

- Bye.

- Thank you.

- Take care.

Present arms!

Today, my attorneys are

filing a federal lawsuit

to challenge the ban as unconstitutional.

I gave everything I could to the military

and will continue to do what

I can to achieve equality.

I'm extremely proud to be an American,

proud to have worn the uniform.

I'd not exactly expected that

my retirement or my discharge

from the military would end like this.

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