Lesbian U.S. Soldier Seeks Asylum After Receiving Death Threats

A U.S. soldier's rejected application for asylum will be reviewed by the Canadian refugee board.

Private Bethany Smith, 21, is seeking asylum in Canada after another Army soldier "outed" her to military authorities. Smith, a lesbian, claims she was verbally and physically harassed by other soldiers after learning Smith is gay.  Smith also claims she was badgered daily and received more than 100 threatening notes, including death threats.

Smith says she asked the U.S. military for a discharge, but was denied because the military wanted to send her to Afghanistan. Smith is also claiming the military violated its "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

She never went to Afghanistan.

Smith's original application for asylum was denied in 2007. After filing an appeal in September, Judge Yves de Montigny ordered a review of her case, citing that mistakes were made by the board, such as dismissing evidence that gays and lesbians face harassment in the U.S. military.

While in the military, Smith was stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, the same military base where a gay soldier was beaten to death in 1999.

For more information about asylum, click here to find an immigration lawyer near you!