In April 1987 Joseph C. Steffan, one of many ten maximum rating midshipmen in his category on the U.S. Naval Academy, and in basic terms six weeks from commencement, used to be denied his degree and compelled to renounce his fee simply because he responded "Yes, sir" to the query, "I'd like your be aware, are you a homosexual?" Six years later his reason, and that of alternative homosexual males and lesbians trying to serve their state through enlistment within the army, has develop into the topic of severe nationwide controversy. This strange and leading edge paintings, in accordance with the litigation procedure and courtroom papers filed relating to Joseph C. Steffan v. Richard Cheney, Secretary of security, et al., brings the assets of medical psychiatry, medical and social psychology, cultural historical past and political technological know-how to undergo upon the elemental questions at factor: How is sexual orientation decided? How and why have socially prejudiced stereotypes approximately female and male homosexuals built? Why have gays confronted designated hindrances in protecting themselves opposed to discrimination? How a lot political strength do gays have?

Marc Wolinsky and Kenneth Sherrill argue that gays represent a politically powerless classification that has been unjustly disadvantaged of its constitutional correct to equivalent defense less than the legislations. they've got accumulated right here the affidavits filed on behalf of Joseph Steffan in his go well with opposed to the USA executive, including the counter-arguments of the dept of protection and the intense opinion of the U.S. District courtroom for the District of Columbia. regardless of the final result of the case, shortly on entice the U.S. courtroom of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, this ebook will stand as a long-lasting and fundamental consultant to the assets of sexual discrimination.