Veteran airman in religious discrimination case against Air Force

An Air Force sergeant who filed a discrimination complaint with the U.S. military claiming he was fired by his lesbian commander for refusing to make a statement of support for same-sex “marriage” may now face prosecution for taking his accusations public.

During a meeting last week, Air Force investigators read Senior Master Sergeant Phillip Monk his Miranda rights, alleging that Monk’s religious discrimination complaint was false. Monk, a devout Christian, believes the claims are a retaliatory act by his former commander, who relieved Monk of his duties and reassigned him after Monk could not agree with his commander’s position regarding same-sex marriage. In the military, making a false official statement is punishable by court-martial.

Sergeant Monk was relieved of his duties as first sergeant at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio in August after two separate confrontations with an openly homosexual superior officer, Major Elisa Valenzeula. 

Liberty Institute attorney Mike Berry said, “We are hopeful that the Air Force will do the right thing by clearing Sergeant Monk’s name and reputation, and supporting his and every airman’s right to express, without fear of punishment, their religious convictions.”