![]() | Gays and the Military: Joseph Steffan versus the United States Subjects: Steffan Joseph 1964– -- Trials litigation etc; Cheney Richard B -- Trials litigation etc; United States -- Armed Forces -- Gays -- Legal status laws etc; Equality before the law -- United States; In April 1987 Joseph C. Steffan, one of the ten highest ranking midshipmen in his class at the U.S. Naval Academy, and only six weeks from graduation, was denied his diploma and forced to resign his commission because he answered "Yes, sir" to the question, "I'd like your word, are you a homosexual?" Six years later his cause, and that of other gay men and lesbians seeking to serve their country by enlistment in the military, has become the subject of intense national controversy. This unusual and innovative work, based on the litigation strategy and court papers filed in the case of Joseph C. Steffan v. Richard Cheney, Secretary of Defense, et al. , brings the resources of clinical psychiatry, clinical and social psychology, cultural history and political science to bear upon the fundamental questions at issue: How is sexual orientation determined? How and why have socially prejudiced stereotypes about male and female homosexuals developed? Why have gays faced special obstacles in defending themselves against discrimination? How much political power do gays have? Marc Wolinsky is a partner of the New York law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and co-counsel to Joseph C. Steffan in association with Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. Kenneth Sherrill is Professor of Political Science and Chair of the College Senate at Hunter College, City University of New York. |
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