Knights Out

High-performing Junior Cites Unwillingness to “Compromise her Integrity” Because She is Gay

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sue Fulton, Knights Out
sue.fulton @ knightsout.org; 908-256-6727

TOP-10 WEST POINT CADET RESIGNS OVER “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL”
High-performing Junior Cites Unwillingness to “Compromise her Integrity” Because She is Gay

WEST POINT, NY, August 9, 2010 – Ranked # 9 in her class overall, she routinely “super-maxes” her physical fitness tests.  One of her blogs was featured in the Sunday print edition of the Washington Post as part of “The Gray Zone: West Point on Leadership.” However, today Cadet Katherine Miller tendered her resignation, coming out as gay to her superior officers at West Point.

In her resignation letter, she cites the kinds of experiences she is unwilling to continue to endure: 

… I have created a heterosexual dating history to recite to fellow cadets when they inquire. I have endured unwanted approaches by male cadets for fear of being accused as a lesbian by rejecting or reporting these events. I have been coerced into ignoring derogatory comments towards homosexuals for fear of being alienated for my viewpoint.  In short, I have lied to my classmates and compromised my integrity and my identity by adhering to existing military policy.
While at the academy, I have made a deliberate effort to develop myself academically, physically, and militarily, but in terms of holistic personal growth I have reached a plateau. I am unwilling to suppress an entire portion of my identity any longer because it has taken a significant personal, mental, and social toll on me and detrimentally affected my professional development. I have experienced a relentless cognitive dissonance by attempting to adhere to §654 [colloquially known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”] and retain my integrity, and I am retrospectively convinced that I am unable to live up to the Army Values as long as the policy remains in place.
Miller will be transferring to Yale University this fall on a Point Foundation Scholarship. She has indicated her desire to become an Army Officer should the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy be removed, and gay and lesbian people allowed to serve freely.
“This is a loss to the Academy and to the Army,” said Becky Kanis, West Point ’91. Kanis is Chair of Knights Out, and a former Captain and company commander. “We keep losing talented people needlessly while we wait for the Pentagon’s ‘review.’ “
Miller has been blogging anonymously about lesbian culture at West Point at velvetparkmedia.com as “Private Second Class Citizen.”
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Knights Out is a group of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender alumni of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and their allies.  Knights Out was formed by a group of gay and lesbian West Pointers in March, 2010.  Founding Board member Lieutenant Dan Choi – an active duty Infantry officer, Iraq vet, and Arabic speaker – was recently discharged for coming out as gay.

http://www.knightsout.org