15 Facts About Keith Meinhold

Keith Meinhold was born on c 1963 and is an American former Navy first class petty officer.

Keith Meinhold is a veteran of the US Navy who successfully challenged the Navy's attempt to discharge him for coming out as gay in 1992.

Petty Officer Meinhold was represented by detailed military defense counsel, Matthew G Gloss, LT, JAGC, USNR.

Keith Meinhold realized he was gay after enlisting and came out to his family in 1990 at Christmas.

Keith Meinhold supervised a team of 32 Navy instructors and was recognized as "Aircrew Instructor of the Year".

Keith Meinhold worked with a group that helped gays being discharged from the Navy find employment.

Keith Meinhold contacted the Human Rights Campaign about the problem and they arranged for him to speak with the media about the witch hunts and about being gay in the Navy.

Keith Meinhold sued in federal court contending that his discharge had violated the Constitution's equal protection guarantee and that the Navy board had acted unfairly by refusing to tell him at his discharge hearing whether he was being judged for acknowledging his homosexuality or for engaging in homosexual acts, something he consistently denied.

Keith Meinhold returned to work, where many of his colleagues had known he was gay before his television appearance.

Keith Meinhold assessed his work environment following Hatter's decision: "Some people are openly supportive, others give closet support and others, by their vibes alone, are not happy with my return".

Gregory Markwell, Keith Meinhold's commander, provided in a sworn statement his negative assessment of the impact Keith Meinhold's presence was having.

Keith Meinhold's lawyers saw this analysis as a direct attack on the assumptions behind the proposed "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, then under consideration.

Keith Meinhold, now working at Naval Air Station at Whidbey Island in Washington, was warned that under DADT, if he repeated the same statement that had prompted the Navy's discharge proceedings, he would be discharged.

Keith Meinhold's crew was honored as the most combat effective P-3 crew in the Pacific Fleet as both the "Crew of the Quarter" and "Crew of the Year".

Keith Meinhold left active duty after 16 years of service in March 1996 and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal.