May 14, 2010

After Coming Out as a Lesbian, a Student May Owe $80,000 to Army ROTC

After Coming Out, Student May Owe $80,000 to Army ROTC 1

Courtesy of Sara Isaacson

Sara Isaacson, shown during a training exercise three years ago, says she thought integrity required her to disclose that she was a lesbian, in spite of the consequences.

Enlarge Image
close After Coming Out, Student May Owe $80,000 to Army ROTC 1

Courtesy of Sara Isaacson

Sara Isaacson, shown during a training exercise three years ago, says she thought integrity required her to disclose that she was a lesbian, in spite of the consequences.

By Don Troop

Four years ago, Sara Isaacson had a full-ride ROTC scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a dream of becoming an Army doctor like her grandfather. Today she may owe nearly $80,000 for the cost of books and out-of-state tuition that the Army paid the university on her behalf.

Ms. Isaacson, who identified as a straight woman when she started college, says she acknowledged to herself last November that she was lesbian. After consulting with trusted friends and