The State - News from March 17, 1986

A former Air Force lieutenant has asked a federal appeals court in San Francisco to overturn her military discharge for homosexuality, contending that her statement of her sexual preference was protected by free-speech provisions of the Constitution. The case involves Julise Johnson, 31, who was discharged a year after writing a June, 1983, letter to her commanding officer stating said she was a lesbian and that was her “political and sexual preference.” Her attorney, Roberta Achtenberg, said courts have ruled that the military can discharge people for engaging in homosexual acts, but that Johnson was forced out because of a statement rather than her conduct. The former officer said she had not admitted she had engaged in homosexual conduct. Justice Department attorney Mark Johnston said Johnson can be discharged nevertheless.