Zoe Dunning
Encyclopedia
Maria Zoe Dunning is a U. S. Naval Academy graduate and gay rights activist. She is the first and only openly gay person allowed to remain on active duty in the military prior to the end of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell
policy.
. She was nominated to the United States Naval Academy
by her Congressman James Sensenbrenner and graduated with the Class of 1985 with a Bachelors of Science Degree. After graduation from Annapolis, she was commissioned an Ensign
in the Navy Supply Corps. After attending Navy Supply Corps School
in Athens, Georgia
, she was assigned to the USS Lexington homeported in Pensacola, FL.
At the end of her obligated active duty service, she transferred into the United States Navy Reserve
and attended Stanford Graduate School of Business
in Palo Alto, California
.
Commander Dunning retired from the Navy Reserve after 22 years of service as a commissioned officer in a ceremony on board the USS Hornet
(CV12) in Alameda, California
.
On December 22, 2010, Commander Dunning stood beside President Barack Obama
as he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010
.
On June 10, 1993, a three-member Navy administrative board recommended that she be honorably discharged despite arguments that the action violated a Federal judge's ruling the previous winter.
In December 1994, another three-member Navy administrative board met at Treasure Island and unanimously agreed with Dunning's argument that her public statement "I am a lesbian" did not violate Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
In a letter dated May 24, 1995, the Chief of Naval Personnel
wrote Dunning, "Your administrative separation case proceedings are closed, and you will be retained in the Naval Service," ending a two year battle. She was represented by Morrison & Foerster.
(SLDN) from its founding in 1993 until 1998, and again from 2006 to the present.
In November, 2003, she was one of thirty five LGBT alumni of the Naval Academy who petitioned the USNA Alumni Association for special status as a non-geographic chapter of the Alumni Association, similar to the association's RV chapter. The initial request was rejected on multiple grounds.
Don't ask, don't tell
"Don't ask, don't tell" was the official United States policy on homosexuals serving in the military from December 21, 1993 to September 20, 2011. The policy prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants, while...
policy.
Biography
Commander Zoe Dunning, SC, USNR (Ret.) was born in Milwaukee, WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. She was nominated to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
by her Congressman James Sensenbrenner and graduated with the Class of 1985 with a Bachelors of Science Degree. After graduation from Annapolis, she was commissioned an Ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
in the Navy Supply Corps. After attending Navy Supply Corps School
Navy Supply Corps School (Athens, Georgia)
New Supply Corps junior officers attend the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia.NSCS occupies a campus with a lengthy history. The site had been used as a school since the 1860s, first for the University of Georgia's University High School, then as a Confederate military school, and at...
in Athens, Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, she was assigned to the USS Lexington homeported in Pensacola, FL.
At the end of her obligated active duty service, she transferred into the United States Navy Reserve
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
and attended Stanford Graduate School of Business
Stanford Graduate School of Business
The Stanford Graduate School of Business is one of the professional schools of Stanford University, in Stanford, California and is broadly regarded as one of the best business schools in the world.The Stanford GSB offers a general management Master of Business Administration degree, the Sloan...
in Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto is a California charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States. The city shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. It is...
.
Commander Dunning retired from the Navy Reserve after 22 years of service as a commissioned officer in a ceremony on board the USS Hornet
USS Hornet (CV-12)
USS Hornet is a United States Navy aircraft carrier of the Essex class. Construction started in August 1942; she was originally named , but was renamed in honor of the , which was lost in October 1942, becoming the eighth ship to bear the name.Hornet was commissioned in November 1943, and after...
(CV12) in Alameda, California
Alameda, California
Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located on Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island, and is adjacent to Oakland in the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Farm Island portion of the city is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport. At the 2010 census, the city had a...
.
On December 22, 2010, Commander Dunning stood beside President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
as he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010
The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 is a landmark federal statute that establishes a legal process for ending the Don't ask, don't tell policy , which since 1993 prevented openly gay and lesbian people from serving in the United States Armed Forces.The Act did not immediately repeal the...
.
Discharge proceedings
In January 1993, while a student at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, she announced her homosexuality at a rally in support of Petty Officer Keith Meinhold. Meinhold acknowledged his gay status on ABC's World News Tonight on May 19, 1992.On June 10, 1993, a three-member Navy administrative board recommended that she be honorably discharged despite arguments that the action violated a Federal judge's ruling the previous winter.
In December 1994, another three-member Navy administrative board met at Treasure Island and unanimously agreed with Dunning's argument that her public statement "I am a lesbian" did not violate Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
In a letter dated May 24, 1995, the Chief of Naval Personnel
Chief of Naval Personnel
The Chief of Naval Personnel is responsible for overall manpower readiness for the United States Navy. The CNP also serves as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and is one of four Deputy Chiefs of Naval Operations, with the identification of N1/NT...
wrote Dunning, "Your administrative separation case proceedings are closed, and you will be retained in the Naval Service," ending a two year battle. She was represented by Morrison & Foerster.
LGBT activism
She served as the Co-Chair of the Governing Board of the Servicemembers Legal Defense NetworkServicemembers Legal Defense Network
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a non-profit legal services, watchdog, and policy organization founded in the United States in 1993. It is dedicated to ending discrimination and harassment of gay and lesbian U.S. military personnel negatively affected by the "Don't ask, don't tell"...
(SLDN) from its founding in 1993 until 1998, and again from 2006 to the present.
In November, 2003, she was one of thirty five LGBT alumni of the Naval Academy who petitioned the USNA Alumni Association for special status as a non-geographic chapter of the Alumni Association, similar to the association's RV chapter. The initial request was rejected on multiple grounds.
See also
- USNA OutUSNA OutUSNA Out is an American non-profit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Alumni of the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland...
- Sexual orientation and the United States military