Lesbian suing for reinstatement to Air Force takes witness stand at federal trial in Wash.

Lesbian seeking return to Air Force testifies

TACOMA, Wash. — A decorated Air Force flight nurse discharged for being gay has taken the witness stand in federal court in Tacoma.

Former Maj. Margaret Witt is suing the Air Force in hopes of being reinstated. She began her testimony Monday discussing her family’s military history and spoke of how she decided to join the Air Force.

Witt’s case has already prompted one landmark ruling in which an appeals court panel held the military can’t dismiss someone for being gay unless it shows the firing was necessary to further military goals.

U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton is now weighing whether Witt’s firing met that standard.

Lawyers for the Air Force say the firing was justified.