Canada to Consider DADT in US Refugee Case

Canada's federal court ruled Friday that a refugee board must take into consideration the United States' "don't ask, don't tell" policy when reviewing the case of an Army deserter who is a lesbian.

The Immigration and Refugee Board will again review the case of Bethany Lanae Smith, who fled the Army for Canada in 2007 shortly before being posted to Afghanistan. Her initial request for refugee status was denied.

The New York Times reports that Smith was denied her request for a discharge under the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy after she disclosed that she is a lesbian. She said she received hundreds of threats of violence and death while stationed in Fort Campbell, Ky.

A gay serviceman was killed at that base in 1999.