11 Facts About Miriam Ben-Shalom

Miriam Ben-Shalom is an American educator, activist and former Staff Sergeant in the United States Army.

Miriam Ben-Shalom served until 1990 when the Army succeeded in terminating her service after prolonged judicial proceedings.

In 1974, Miriam Ben-Shalom enlisted in the United States army reserve and joined the 84th Training Division.

Miriam Ben-Shalom's commander filed discharge proceedings against her, and she was honorably discharged in 1976.

Miriam Ben-Shalom took the Army to court to overturn her dismissal, and in 1980 Judge Terence Evans of the US District Court in Chicago ruled that her dismissal violated the First, Fifth and Ninth Amendments of the US Constitution based upon testimony that she was only dismissed because of her statement to the press.

Miriam Ben-Shalom reenlisted in September 1988, but the Army appealed the decision and finally won an August 1989 decision from Judge Harlington Wood, Jr.

Miriam Ben-Shalom returned to Waukesha and was one of six LGBT veterans who founded the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America, today known as the American Veterans for Equal Rights.

Miriam Ben-Shalom continued to participate in a number of protests against the military policy excluding homosexuals from service and in 1993 protested the military's new "Don't ask, don't tell" policy by joining David Mixner in chaining herself to the White House fence.

Miriam Ben-Shalom is a member of the New England Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans and of the California Alexander Hamilton American Legion Post 448.

In 2016, Miriam Ben-Shalom was invited to be the Grand Marshall of the Milwaukee Pride Parade.

Miriam Ben-Shalom has availed herself of the support offered by conservative media outlets and organizations.