Lesbian Air Force sergeant married in Iowa discharged after S.D. police officers report to base; ACLU files complaint

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a complaint against the Rapid City Police Department, saying two officers were responsible for getting a lesbian Air Force sergeant tossed out of the military.

Police went to Jene Newsome's Rapid City home last November to serve an out-of-state warrant on Cheryl Hutson, Newsome's partner. The officers allegedly noticed an Iowa marriage certificate showing the two were married and notified Ellsworth Air Force Base, which later gave Newsome an honorable discharge.

The military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy bans service members from acknowledging they are gay or engaging in homosexual behavior.

Police Chief Steve Allender declined comment, other than to say that it is routine to notify the base of criminal matters involving military personnel.

Newsome had been in the military for nine years and said she planned to make it a career.

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Information from: KOTA-TV, http://www.kotatv.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.