Challenging the U.S. Air Force
From information published in the June 1982 issue of Common Bond Ink:
In May 1982, Jon Hull was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force Reserve for being gay. The Reserve learned that Hull was homosexual when he made inquiries about the policy at his full-time civilian job. Hull was an electrical engineer and civilian employee at Kirtland Air Force Base.
“I asked my security instructor in May of 1982 if there was a policy on sustaining clearances for open homosexuals in the Air Force civil service. I told him that I, along with thousands of other gay men and women in the civil services, could work more efficiently if we didn’t have to worry about being investigated because of our sexual orientation. My instructor said he would look into the matter and get back to me. The next day I was introduced by my security officer to two badge-carrying security agents. Our discussion began into my security clearance.”
In addition to being discharged from the Air Force Reserve, Hull’s access to classified information was suspended. The Air Force Security Clearance Office maintained that Hull’s open homosexuality made him indirectly vulnerable to blackmail. Although the Air Force acknowledged that being openly gay put him beyond direct vulnerability, his “partners in homosexual conduct” might not be so open might make him vulnerable to indirect blackmail in the future “if he should decide to hide his sexuality.”
Fellow Common Bond board member Brian Lanter, an attorney with the New Mexico Civil Liberties Union, represented Hull at his discharge hearing and agreed to represent Hull through the appeals process. Lanter was able to persuade the Discharge Board that Hull should be honorably discharged. Hull had been an officer in the Air Force Reserve since 1978 when he voluntarily left the Air Force as a Regular Captain.
Hull stated, “It has been important to me to have support at home and from the gay and lesbian community. My lover Alan Stringer, Common Bond, the ACLU and my many gay and lesbian friends have been very supportive during this time of stress.” Hull cautioned other civilian and military employees of the government, especially those who have security clearances to carefully plan their timing, and have a reliable support group before coming out. He also suggested lining up a back-up job should the worst occur.
Four years later, in May 1986, Hull’s security clearance was finally restored. Then working as an engineer for the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Hull was interviewed in Common Bond Ink.
Why was your access to classified information suspended?
I mentioned to the instructor of a security course that I was gay. He reported this to the Air Force Office of Security Investigations, and the Commander of Weapons Laboratory decided that a security investigation was necessary.
Did this create problems at work?
Yes, the officers were determined to make me quit by giving me many small, unimportant assignments with tight follow up. Also, most people avoided me.
How is your job situation now?
Although some people are still cautious, most talk to me much more freely and even invite me to parties. I also work on joint projects now.
What advice would you give to others?
Realize that if you disclose that you are gay, the investigation is likely to be long. If you are in civil service, you could be fired, but be prepared for a long ordeal.
What probably caused the investigation to be so long?
At first, my lover would not talk to the investigators (although he eventually filled out a 15-year background report and was interviewed); and secondly, I would not give names of those in the Air Force with whom I had sex. Perhaps, too, they were hoping I would quit under pressure.
In May 1982, Jon Hull was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force Reserve for being gay. The Reserve learned that Hull was homosexual when he made inquiries about the policy at his full-time civilian job. Hull was an electrical engineer and civilian employee at Kirtland Air Force Base.
“I asked my security instructor in May of 1982 if there was a policy on sustaining clearances for open homosexuals in the Air Force civil service. I told him that I, along with thousands of other gay men and women in the civil services, could work more efficiently if we didn’t have to worry about being investigated because of our sexual orientation. My instructor said he would look into the matter and get back to me. The next day I was introduced by my security officer to two badge-carrying security agents. Our discussion began into my security clearance.”
In addition to being discharged from the Air Force Reserve, Hull’s access to classified information was suspended. The Air Force Security Clearance Office maintained that Hull’s open homosexuality made him indirectly vulnerable to blackmail. Although the Air Force acknowledged that being openly gay put him beyond direct vulnerability, his “partners in homosexual conduct” might not be so open might make him vulnerable to indirect blackmail in the future “if he should decide to hide his sexuality.”
Fellow Common Bond board member Brian Lanter, an attorney with the New Mexico Civil Liberties Union, represented Hull at his discharge hearing and agreed to represent Hull through the appeals process. Lanter was able to persuade the Discharge Board that Hull should be honorably discharged. Hull had been an officer in the Air Force Reserve since 1978 when he voluntarily left the Air Force as a Regular Captain.
Hull stated, “It has been important to me to have support at home and from the gay and lesbian community. My lover Alan Stringer, Common Bond, the ACLU and my many gay and lesbian friends have been very supportive during this time of stress.” Hull cautioned other civilian and military employees of the government, especially those who have security clearances to carefully plan their timing, and have a reliable support group before coming out. He also suggested lining up a back-up job should the worst occur.
Four years later, in May 1986, Hull’s security clearance was finally restored. Then working as an engineer for the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Hull was interviewed in Common Bond Ink.
Why was your access to classified information suspended?
I mentioned to the instructor of a security course that I was gay. He reported this to the Air Force Office of Security Investigations, and the Commander of Weapons Laboratory decided that a security investigation was necessary.
Did this create problems at work?
Yes, the officers were determined to make me quit by giving me many small, unimportant assignments with tight follow up. Also, most people avoided me.
How is your job situation now?
Although some people are still cautious, most talk to me much more freely and even invite me to parties. I also work on joint projects now.
What advice would you give to others?
Realize that if you disclose that you are gay, the investigation is likely to be long. If you are in civil service, you could be fired, but be prepared for a long ordeal.
What probably caused the investigation to be so long?
At first, my lover would not talk to the investigators (although he eventually filled out a 15-year background report and was interviewed); and secondly, I would not give names of those in the Air Force with whom I had sex. Perhaps, too, they were hoping I would quit under pressure.