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A Lesbian Servicewoman Challenges Her Military Discharge

Colonel Margarethe Cammeryer was named Nurse of the Year by the Veterans Administration and was Chief Nurse of the Washington State National Guard. She was discharged from the service in 1992 because she revealed that she is a lesbian, becoming the highest-ranking officer to be discharged solely for homosexuality. She challenged the ruling, and was reinstated in July. "Serving in Silence" is her new book about her experiences.

22:32
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Other segments from the episode on October 31, 1994

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, October 31, 1994: Interview with Margarethe Cammermeyer; Interview with Arthur Agee and Steve James; Review of the album "Sam Cooke's SAR Records Story, 1959-1965."
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15:04

Bearing Witness to Ambitious Inner City Athletes

From the new movie documentary "Hoop Dreams," young basketball player Arthur Agee and film director Steve James. The movie traces the lives of Agee and his friend William Gates for five years as they try to follow their dreams of rising from inner city Chicago to play in the NBA. James is the director, producer and co-editor of the film.

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22:26

Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer on Being Discharged for Being a Lesbian.

Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer, chief nurse of the Washington National Guard. Last week she was discharged from the army for being a lesbian. Cammermeyer is one of the highest ranking members of the military ever to be removed because of her sexual orientation. She served in Vietnam where she received the Bronze Star and in 1985 was chosen from 34,000 candidates to be the Veterans Administration's Nurse of the year. She is challenging her dismissal in Federal Court.

Interview
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32:35

How Gay Soldiers Serve Openly Around The World

A study of five U.S. allies who ended bans on gays openly serving in their militaries showed that the wide-scale disruptions feared by opponents had never materialized, says historian and study author Nathaniel Frank. He discusses his finding and what they suggest for efforts to end the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

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