December 9,1994 • THE WASHINGTON BLADE • 25 National News Navy tribunal recommends Lesbian not be ousted by Sidney Brinkley After two days of testimony, the board Gay people to make absurd arguments. SAN FRANCISCO —A beaming Lt. took only four and a half hours to reach its We shouldn't be celebrating a policy that Zoe Dunning strode out of a Naval admin decision, but it does not set a precedent for forces us to say we are celibate. I respect istrative board hearing on December 1 and other Gays in the military and does not Durming's position to argue that but not as flashed the thumbs up sign after a Navy protect Dunning from any future actions a long-term strategy for the movement." tribunal unanimously recommended she should she again say she is Gay. Though some have gone as far as to call not be ousted from the Navy for publicly "Every time she says *I am a Lesbian' the decision a "landmark," Feldblum said declaring she is a Lesbian. she is subject to the 'don't ask, don't tell' she feels it is considerably less than that. "I feel fantastic," said a stunned Dun regulation," said Bonfiglio. "This board "While it's an interesting application of ning after the surprise decision. "I was not made clear they were making a decision the new policy I completely disagree with expecting it. We know of no one who's based on, as they put it, the 'unique cir those calling this a 'landmaric'," she said. won one of these hearings before." cumstances' of the statement that Zoe "We have to see what the general service Capt. Thomas Bems, president of the made in January 1993. That leaves open command does with this case. Under tihe Naval Board of Inquiry, said Dunning had the possibility that they could start another circumstances, this bread crumb is the not violated the military's "don't ask, administrative review board proceeding. I maximum we can ever hope to get from don't tell" policy for Gays because there would opt they won't do that, but we don't the new policy." was no evidence that she engages in, in have any guarantees." The board's recommendation will go to tends to engage in, or "has a propensity to In general, the decision was viewed as a the Bureau of Naval Personnel and then to engage in homosexual activity." victory, but some in the Gay legal com Navy Secretary Dalton who will make the "We've won the first battle, said Greg munity expressed disappointment with the final decision. Though Dalton has upheld Bonfiglio, Dunning's attorney. "What this board's actions. such recommendations in tfie past he says is you can be Gay and have a chance Lt Zoe Dunning talks with reporters "We certainly agree and applaud that could disregard the board and order Dun of being in the military. This is a conduct- after a tribual recommended she not the statement 'I am a Lesbian' does not ning from the Navy. A decision is expect based policy. It was decided on what she be booted from the Navy. mean that one will not abide by the rules," ed within two months. does and not who she is." said Beatrice Dom of the Lambda Legal In the future. Dunning said she will not Dunning, 31, is a graduate of the Naval cision, Dunning said she was "absolutely Defense and Education Fund in New deny being a Lesbian but she will be more Academy at Annapolis, Md. She served surprised" by the tribunal's actions. Yotic. "But we lament the fact that Les cautious about where she makes that state on active duty for six years. In September "I went through a previous hearing with bians and Gay men are required to go ment. 1991, she transferred to the Naval Reserve substantially the same evidence under the through a totally separate regime." "I will continue to be honest about where she is serving as a supply officer at old policy and lost," she said. "I didn't "While I am thrilled personally for Zoe who I am," she said. "It may not be as the Alameda Naval Air Station near San want to get my hopes up too high. I didn't Dunning I think the decision was more de much of declaration as the e^ier state Francisco. At a political rally supporting want to set myself up for disappointment. structive than helpful," said Chai Feld- ment at a political rally, but I am not Gays in the military in January 1993, she The fact that the deliberations were so blum, a Georgetown University law pro going to hide it. I will continue to speak publicly announced she is a Lesbian. quick made us think that they had not con fessor and former legal director for the publicly about being an out Lesbian in At a press conference following the de- sidered all of our complex arguments." Campaign for Military Service. "It forces the Navy."V