Legal Opinion
Sergeant Perry J. Watkins v. United States Army
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Decided June 8, 1988No. 85-4006PublishedCited by 24 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
NORRIS, Circuit Judge:
In August 1967, at the age of 19, Perry Watkins enlisted in the United States Army. In filling out the Army’s pre-induction medical form, he candidly marked “yes” in response to a question whether he had homosexual tendencies. The Army nonetheless considered Watkins “qualified for admission” and inducted him into its ranks. Watkins served fourteen years in the Army, and became, in the words of his commanding officer, “one of our most respected and trusted soldiers.” Excerpt of Record [ER] at 26d.
Even though Watkins’ homosexuality was always common knowledge, Watkins v.…
2Cases cited48 opinions
- Mt. Healthy City School District Board of Education v. DoyleSupreme Court of the United States · 1977
- City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Center, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1985
- Roe v. WadeSupreme Court of the United States · 1973
- Griswold v. ConnecticutSupreme Court of the United States · 1965
- San Antonio Independent School District v. RodriguezSupreme Court of the United States · 1973
43 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by24 opinions
- Sergeant Perry Watkins v. United States ArmyCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1989
- Joseph C. Steffan v. William J. Perry, Secretary of DefenseCourt of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit · 1994
- James M. Woodward v. United StatesCourt of Appeals for the Federal Circuit · 1989
- Robin Joy Shahar v. Michael J. Bowers, Individually and in His Official Capacity as Attorney General of the State of GeorgiaCourt of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit · 1997
- Able v. United StatesCourt of Appeals for the Second Circuit · 1996
19 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.