An LGBTQ+ Air National Guard Member Alleges Discrimination Over Her Appearance
A female member of the West Virginia Air National Guard who identifies as LGBTQ+ is suing the US Army and Air Force over remarks a superior made regarding her appearance, which she alleges negatively impacted her professional career.
Tech. Sgt. Kristin M. Kingrey joined the West Virginia Air National Guard in 2007 and has dutifully served for nearly 14 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan, where she worked with Navy SEALs. The 37-years-old guardsman with the 130th Airlift Wing identifies as a lesbian, has short hair, and does not wear makeup or jewelry.
On November 23, 2021, she filed a lawsuit with the Southern District of West Virginia, in which she claims she’s been repeatedly harassed by superiors over her appearance, leading her to lose a job opportunity that had initially been offered to her.