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Monday January 15 9:09 PM ET

Army Drops Gay Reservist Case

By JACQUES BILLEAUD, Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX (AP) - The Army on Monday said it has dropped efforts to dismiss an Arizona lawmaker from a reserve unit because he said during a legislative debate that he is gay.

An Army spokesman said the case was dismissed after Rep. Steve May, a reserve lieutenant, agreed not to re-enlist once his current term expires May 11.

``Given my record of service, I should be allowed to complete my term, regardless of my sexual orientation,'' May said.

A military panel recommended in September that May be honorably discharged for violating the military's ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy.

Under that rule, gays are allowed to serve in the Armed Forces as long as they don't declare their sexual orientation. In turn, the military is barred from asking service members if they are homosexual.

May's appeal of the panel's decision was rejected in November. But his lawyer, Christopher Wolf, said the military decided on Saturday to drop the case.

Wolf said he discussed the issue last month with White House chief of staff John Podesta and on Friday with top military officials.

``I think it's vindication that we were right from the beginning,'' May said of the Army's decision.

But Lt. Col. Bill Wheelehan, an Army spokesman, said the case was dropped because May agreed not to re-enlist.

``Time was going to run out in the next four months to get this man out,'' Wheelehan said. ``You can't (dismiss) an officer that rapidly when the officer is using everything at his disposal'' to appeal. The legislator said he never intended to serve another term.

May, a Republican who was re-elected in November, acknowledged his homosexuality during legislative debate in February 1999, while arguing for extending health benefits to same-sex partners. He was an honorably discharged civilian reservist at the time but was called back to the Army a few weeks later, during the Kosovo crisis.

-- Don't (ask@don't.tell), January 15, 2001

Answers

What sports! The real reason they decided not to pursue it, is it would cost more than it is worth!

For those of you out there, that do not know, Steve May has been a major proponent of access to healthcare for ALL of the population of Arizona, in it's various and sundry populations, especially the underpriveleged.

This is the Army's loss as far as I am concerned. And the state of Arizona too.

-- Aunt Bee (aunt__bee@dellmail.com), January 16, 2001.

Steve May has been a major proponent of access to healthcare for ALL

It's been tried before!

Bill and Hillary, if memory serves me, had their backsides handed to them on a platter when they tried!

-- Adam & Eve (NOT Adam & Steve May@sodomite.com), January 16, 2001.

Steve May's Dilemma

Reluctant May forced to stand in the limelight

By Mark Shaffer, The Arizona Republic

Steve May quickens his pace toward his office in the state House.

He stops a research analyst in the corridor. Why shouldn't chiropractors be allowed to join HMOs? Why can't the state create a fund for the working poor who make too much to qualify for health care for the needy?

Another analyst is within earshot. Give me a bill, quick, that makes House members declare conflicts of interest if they have business before other representatives. . . .

-- Health care (and@Steve.May), January 16, 2001.