Anti-LGBT US Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson Resigns After Trump Launches Plans for Space Force

Air Force Chief Has Long Anti-LGBT Record

U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson has submitted her resignation. Secretary Wilson reportedly was opposed to President Trump’s decision to add a new branch to the U.S. Military, Space Force, and yet was tasked with its creation, Axios reports.

Wilson was being considered to become President Trump’s next Secretary of Defense. She was confirmed by the Senate in May of 2017. Wilson is also a former Republican U.S. Congresswoman.

She is planning on returning to academia, and reportedly may become become president of the University of Texas at El Paso.

During her failed 2014 Senate run Wilson attacked a proposed anti-bullying bill as unconstitutional, falsely claiming children who haven’t reached puberty don’t know if they’re gay. She also claimed the bill could violate the free-speech rights of bullies, and criminalize the act of teasing — which, she suggested, all kids do.

Last year, ThinkProgress reported that in an “incredibly uncommon” move Wilson stepped in to reverse Air Force policy and allow anti-gay discrimination.

GLAAD notes Wilson has said “she does not ‘approve of’ homosexuality,” and voted for a federal amendment to the Constitution banning same-sex marriage.