Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(61,964 posts)
Mon Jan 24, 2022, 11:51 PM Jan 2022

Lesbian Sues U.S. Army and Air Force Over Boss' Demand She Grow Her Hair and Wear Makeup

Source: Daily Beast

Lesbian Sues U.S. Army and Air Force Over Boss’ Demand She Grow Her Hair and Wear Makeup

Kristin M. Kingrey of the West Virginia Air National Guard says a threat her career would be jeopardized if she didn’t look “more feminine” came true when she lost out on two jobs.

Tim Teeman
Senior Editor And Writer
Updated Jan. 24, 2022 9:17AM ET / Published Jan. 24, 2022 5:05AM ET

For nearly 14 years, Tech. Sgt. Kristin M. Kingrey has served her country as a member of the West Virginia Air National Guard. Now Kingrey, a 37-year-old lesbian, is suing the Army and Air Force, claiming a senior male leader said she should grow her hair, wear makeup, “and ultimately appear more feminine,” or prepare to face the negative professional consequences.

Kingrey told The Daily Beast that after the remarks were made a job she had successfully applied for was suddenly withdrawn, and the Guard also refused to hire her for a position she was qualified for, “despite her satisfactory performance as a federal employee,” as her lawsuit, filed in a federal court, states.

When the comment was allegedly made, it was not the first time. “From 2016 to 2018, I was constantly being pulled into my seniors’ offices being told my hair was out of regs (non-regulation),” Kingrey told The Daily Beast. “It crossed a line into harassment, and I carried on my person a copy of our regulations in regards to female hair length because I was not breaking any rules.”

Kingrey, from Charleston, West Virginia, believes that sexism and homophobia are key parts of her case—she was signaled out as a woman, and a lesbian woman specifically. Hers comports to a stereotypical lesbian appearance, she says, and her boss wanted her appearance to be more conventionally “feminine.”

-snip-

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/lesbian-sues-us-army-and-air-force-over-bosss-demand-she-grow-her-hair-and-wear-makeup

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Lesbian Sues U.S. Army and Air Force Over Boss' Demand She Grow Her Hair and Wear Makeup (Original Post) Eugene Jan 2022 OP
It's been years since this case but obviously too little has changed: spooky3 Jan 2022 #1
this didn't even happen when I was enlisted decades ago Skittles Jan 2022 #2
Sounds like West Virginia thing. tirebiter Jan 2022 #3
What's next, false eyelashes, breast implants? Good grief! littlemissmartypants Jan 2022 #4

Skittles

(153,212 posts)
2. this didn't even happen when I was enlisted decades ago
Tue Jan 25, 2022, 12:09 AM
Jan 2022

this is not military procedure, this is a sexist boss issue

littlemissmartypants

(22,839 posts)
4. What's next, false eyelashes, breast implants? Good grief!
Tue Jan 25, 2022, 02:22 AM
Jan 2022

I am so sick of the patriarchy.

Thanks for sharing this, Eugene. ❤

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»LGBT»Lesbian Sues U.S. Army an...