NEW YORK – The lesbian cadet who resigned from West Point military academy last year because she refused to lie about her sexuality has been rejected for readmission due to the still existing ban on gays in the military.
Katherine Miller, 21, said in a statement, “Although I am deeply saddened that I will not be readmitted to West Point, I understand and respect the decision.” Miller now plans to graduate from Yale University, which she is now attending and then join the military through officer candidate school.
Miller had become a prominent figure in the fight to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, but the repeal will only fully take effect once certification has been reached. Officials at the Academy said they reached the only decision they were able to, as the repeal of the policy is not yet complete.
Lieutenant Colonel Sherri Reed, the academy’s director of public affairs said in a statement, “While at the academy Ms. Miller remained in good standing and had done exceptionally well academically, militarily and physically, the choice to seek re-admission is available to her once the repeal process is completed.”
The decision has highlighted activists’ complaints that the Defense Department’s slow certification process is preventing gays and lesbians from serving.
