http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/12/discharge-pending-combat-pilot-who-tried-halt-lesb/
Discharge pending for combat pilot who tried to halt lesbian officers’ make-out session
By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times - Wednesday, November 12, 2014
The Army is moving to discharge a decorated combat pilot who intervened to stop two lesbian officers from showing excessive affection on the dance floor at an official ball at Fort Drum, N.Y.
Lt. Col. Christopher Downey ended up being convicted administratively of assaulting a soldier trying to film the kissing and grabbing. Col. Downey's lawyer, Richard Thompson, says his client merely pushed down the camera to prevent photos that could end up on social media.
Mr. Thompson said Col. Downey's commanding officer also convicted him of violating the regulation that ended the ban on gays openly serving in the military.
That April 14, 2012, night, Col. Downey moved to caution the two lesbian officers, a second lieutenant and a captain, after a warrant officer complained that their prolonged French kissing, grabbing buttocks and disrobing Army jackets violated Army rules against excessive public affection, his lawyer said.
He said the captain, who since has left the Army, complained she and her girlfriend, whom she later married and then divorced, were discriminated against by Col. Downey.
Mr. Thompson, who heads the Thomas More Law Center in Ann Arbor Michigan, is set to announce Thursday he has filed a lawsuit against the Army in U.S. District Court. The lawsuit asks a federal judge to overturn the convictions. It also wants Col. Downey reinstated to the promotion list and to the roster for attending the Army War College.
As it stands today, Col. Downey is sure to be discharged by an Army forced retirement board that began meeting this week.
"We want to make him whole again," Mr. Thompson said.
