Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN
Darren Tells
Thank you to everyone who submitted questions via our blog for Sergeant Darren Manzella. SLDN passed along your questions to Manzella, who has responded to a number of those. Here are his answers to our readers' inquiries.
Q: Darren, Thanks for your service to our country, and for your bravery in coming out so publicly. Are you concerned about the consequences of returning to your unit now that you have spoken out publicly?
A: Thank you for your support. I am curious about the actions, if any, that may take place upon my return to work by my command. I have an incredible team of attorneys at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network who have been amazing at informing of any form of action that my command may take regarding my recent publicity. As I said, I am curious as to what may happen but I am not concerned of the consequences because I feel that by sharing my story and speaking out about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" gives a public voice to the thousands and thousands of servicemembers that are silenced everyday by this policy.
Q: I served for 15 (1985-2000) years in the Air Force mostly in the closet. I originally came out at the tender age of 15, but returned back into the closet to allow me to serve my country. Only a few knew about me as I joined before the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy came into effect. The ones who did know didn't have any problems working beside me. We were all there to do a job/ mission. Some just don't understand why someone who is gay would also want to be in the military.
My question to you is, how has your military life been like since the 60 Minutes interview? Have you overheard any off-color remarks? Any buddies pull back and distance themselves from you? Has there been any discharge talk?
A: Thank you for writing JT. I have been on leave since my return from deployment and plan on returning to work this week. However, since my interview on 60 Minutes aired I have recieved a staggering amount of support from family, friends and military personnel (all branches, ranks, active/reserve/retired). Many thank me for speaking out against a policy that have either effected their military career or the career of someone they worked with closely.
My family, friends, colleagues, etc. are equally supportive and offer unconditional support regardless of the outcome of any action that my command may take.
I have not received negative responses or off-color remarks and I have not heard any type of repsonse form my command regarding discharge.
Q: First of all, thank you for your exemplary service. You are a credit to your country, its military services, and to those of us who also served but dare not speak out.
My question: Did anyone in the service ever denigrate, or "disrespect" you(the current lingo), for being gay?
A: Thank you for your question and for your support. When I first came out to my supervisor and then the news of my being gay traveled up my chain of command I never felt disrespected. A popular response I received from personnel in my command was "I don't care if you're gay or not". The majority of my colleagues were very supportive and I feel it form a tighter bond between us because they knew who I truly was.
I served openly gay on my recent deployment. Shortly after arriving in Iraq I was sent to Kuwait to fill a liaison position. Initially I was unsure if this was action taken because I "came out", but I never recieved any form of derogatory behavior or attitudes from anyone in my unit. Once in Kuwait I soon acquired a new group of colleagues and peers and I felt very accepted of who I was. I think it is important that people know that this new group I felt a part of in Kuwait was incredibly diverse, consisting of males & females, gay & straight, all branches and ranks of the military, and a wide range of ages and ethinicites.
If you have more questions for Sergeant Manzella, leave them in the comments section here at Frontlines. We'll pass along your comments to Darren. Thank you to everyone who wrote in.Labels: Darren Manzella, sldn clients, SLDN on 60 Minutes
-----01-24-08 Comment (0)
“I have to lie.”
In this Sunday's installment of The L Word, Captain Tasha Williams gets to the heart of the matter of being investigated for discharge under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Her girlfriend Alice comes home to find Tasha holding paperwork informing the good Captain of her investigation for homosexual conduct. How might Tasha possibly save her military career?
TASHA:
I have to lie.
ALICE:
Isn't that against your military code of honor?
Why yes, Alice, lying is in direct contradiction of the military's core principles. In order to fight being discharged, Tasha will have to lie. The military teaches honor and integrity, but Congress passed a law requiring lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members to lie as a condition of service. It's wasteful and it's mean.
We've seen in previous episodes that Alice doesn't really get why Tasha wants to continue serving in the military, but she loves Tasha and is willing to do whatever she has to do. Alice offers to "disappear for a while," to "just be really discreet, like, a nonexistent girlfriend." Assuming continuity of characterization, that's not something I believe Alice could really do. Moreover, what kind of relationship can two people have when they have to hide? Judging from Tasha's response, I don't think she wants that kind of "nonexistent girlfriend."
Towards episode's end, we see Tasha and Alice cuddled up in bed. Tasha says, "They're taking my whole f---ing life away from me."
Anvilicious, but true. It happens to real people every day. The military will continue to take away the careers of talented, well-trained Americans, Tasha's real-life counterparts, until Congress finally chucks this stupid law.
Tasha, I'm not a lawyer. I don't know how you can save your career. Your military defense attorney clearly doesn't care about fighting for you, and civilian attorneys are pricey. What's a gal to do? Call SLDN for some free legal help! I hope, for your sake and for that of the Army that needs you, that you can salvage your career.
Fortunately for those of us who like a dose of levity to go with the too-real drama, this episode also includes Shane all jittery from sex withdrawal, and Helena escaping from the confines of her tightly-wound mother with plans to spring her sweetie from the clink. These two collide with awkward fireworks when abstinence-addled Shane kisses Helena goodbye in the episode's final moments. Helena, I'll miss you!
- Jill RaneyLabels: the l word
-----01-22-08 Comment (0)
Morning News Round-Up
The Jamestown Post-Gazette - which also happens to be Sergeant Darren Manzella's hometown paper - featured a story on him in Sunday's paper. Speaking of his time in Kuwait (from where he returned in late December), Manzella tells reporter Robert Rizzuto that, "Down there I met quite a few service members from all branches of the military, and they knew I was gay. It really wasn’t an issue. We had a really diverse group as well. They were gay and straight, male and female and many different ethnicities. I was just another soldier on deployment making the most of everyday."
Speaking about the future, Darren says that, "I’ve invested a lot of my life so far in the military and got to do incredible things and meet amazing people. I don’t see why I wouldn’t continue on with that." You can read the full story here.
Another New York paper, The Buffalo News, is just the latest to join calls for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The News editorial board, reflecting on Manzella's story, writes that, "The military needs people who can fight, who can build, who can take orders. Those qualities are found in all kinds of people, gays included." The full editorial is online here.
And the blogs this morning are buzzing about Monday's story in The Washington Times, looking at the plunge in discharges under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Queerty has coverage here and The Carpetbagger Report dissects the article here.
And finally, don't forget to watch Sergeant Manzella's interview with CBS News on LOGO. Just click here.
For a complete list of recent press coverage, visit SLDN's press room on our website.
- Steve RallsLabels: Darren Manzella, in the news, other blogs
-----01-22-08 Comment (0)
Fact Check: Elaine in The Washington Times
This morning's Washington Times includes an article about the decline in dismissals under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," pointing to a 50% drop in firings under the law since 2001.
Right-wing pundit Elaine Donnelly, of the Center for Military Readiness, tries to spin the facts (and invent a few of her own) to distort the truth about what's happening under the gay ban.
Elaine says: Fewer gay Americans are joining the military.
The fact is: There is no evidence to substantiate Elaine's claim, and plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise. First, there is the group of former service members, fired under the law, who are fighting in court to return to the military. And, in the days after September 11, 2001, SLDN was innundated with calls from LGBT Americans wanting to know if they could enlist, and how. And finally, SLDN clients will tell you, by and large, that if they were able to go back to the military and serve openly, they'd gladly do so. (Consider, too, the case of gay Army medic Darren Manzella, who continues to serve today, and is proud to do so.) Elaine is just spinning unfounded theories to make the LGBT community seem unpatriotic.
Elaine says: "[A]necdotal evidence shows that the military allows personnel to leave service rather than pursuing a homosexual-driven discharge" (a quote from the reporter, summarizing Elaine's thoughts).
The fact is: There is, again, no evidence to support Elaine's claim. One would think, after 14 years of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," that at least one of these service members would have come forward to say "I was dismissed for being gay, but not considered a gay dismissal." That hasn't happened, as far as we know. In fact, military discharge paperwork is stamped with the word "HOMOSEXUAL," and those who are dismissed under the law continue to receive that mark on their paperwork.
Elaine says: There's no evidence to support the theory that gay dismissals fall during wartime.
The fact is: In his book Conduct Unbecoming, researcher Randy Shilts found that the number of gays drummed out of the service always falls during wartime, including during WWII, the Vietnam War, Korean War and the first Gulf War. Contrary to Elaine's claim, there is ample research that such a trend exists.
So let's look at "just the facts, ma'am." The evidence does point to a decline in dismissals during wartime, and there's plenty of evidence to conclude that, indeed, gays are serving in the armed forces, continue to enlist and are, often, valued members of their unit.
To read the full Washington Times article, click here.
- Steve RallsLabels: elaine donnelly, in the news
-----01-21-08 Comment (0)
Congratulations Are In Order . . .
. . . for 60 Minutes and The Advocate. Both news outlets received GLAAD Media Award nominations yesterday for their coverage of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
CBS' 60 Minutes was nominated in the TV Journalism-News Segment category for its story featuring SLDN client Darren Manzella and board member Cholene Espinoza. And The Advocate received a nod in the Magazine Article category for its special report on Gays at War, featuring Manzella, war veteran Eric Alva and SLDN client Karissa Urmantia.
The GLAAD Media Awards ceremonies will be held in New York on March 17, 2008 at the Marriott Marquis; in South Florida at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on April 12; in Los Angeles on April 26 at the Kodak Theatre; and in San Francisco on May 10 at the San Francisco Marriott.
For a complete list of nominees, click here.
- Steve RallsLabels: GLAAD
-----01-21-08 Comment (0)
Remembering - and Saluting - Dr. King
All of us at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network join the country in honoring the work, commitment, sacrifice and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As our nation pauses on Monday to remember Dr. King's passionate dedication to a country where all men truly are created equal, we are also reminded of how much work remains to be done.
Dr. King once observed that, "A right delayed is a right denied," and it is a sentiment that LGBT Americans serving our armed forces know all too well.
Dr. King's wife, Coretta Scott King, was a passionate advocate for lifting the ban on LGBT service personnel. She, like her husband, was a tireless advocate for equality. They are both sorely missed by all who aspire for a world free of discrimination and prejudice.
All of us at SLDN remember, every day, Dr. King's vision. His words continue to inspire us all. For those who keep fighting for a better world, we are carried forward by his reminder that, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Because of Dr. King's heroic efforts, the world - and our future - is much brighter for us all.
- Steve Ralls
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01-18-08 Comment (0)
The Picture that Made Elaine’s Head Explode
Yes, this is it. The photo of Sergeant Darren Manzella, shown on 60 Minutes, that led anti-gay activist Elaine Donnelly to proclaim that the sky is falling.
The photo, Elaine said earlier this week, "suggests that [Manzella's] unit was not a model of discipline."
Goodness knows that, after risking their lives on the frontlines of war for our country, the last thing we want our soldiers to do is have a little R & R.
And saving countless lives during more than one hundred 12-hour stints doing medical work on the streets of Baghdad might just make Sergeant Manzella a model . . . soldier.
But all Elaine seems to be able to see are the smiles and cleavage that, she insists, will bring the world's most powerful military to a screeching halt. (OK, maybe the cowboy hat is a bit much, but still!)
Meanwhile, Elaine just keeps screeching, pretending like she's Anna Wintour for the right-wing crew . . .
UPDATE: Also check out Wonkette's take on Elaine's meltdown.
- Steve RallsLabels: Darren Manzella, elaine donnelly
01-18-08 Comment (2)
Is There a Doctor in the House?
Apparently not...according to a recent report by Laura Unger at Gannet News Service. It seems that there is a shortage of trained and qualified physicians and nurses in today's Army. The article, which appeared in the Army Times points to the loss of over 1,100 doctors and 1,200 nurses from the Army's Medical Corp over the past decade, a loss of personnel which has led to a nationwide shortage in key medical positions.
Doctors and nurses (not to mention Arabic linguists) are the very definition of mission critical skills. These are men and women with particular education and training who cannot be replaced by just any other troop. These are also exactly the kind of skills that gay men and women posses and want to share with the military, if only Congress would give them the chance.
No one in their right mind asks the doctor sewing up an injured vet if he is gay or straight...it is just not that important (just ask gay Iraq war medic Darren Manzella)! What is important is that the injured soldier receives the very best medical attention possible, period. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" makes that impossible by forcing all medical personnel to pass a litmus test before they even enter the operating room.
This conversation is obviously made-up but, in effect, that is what "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is doing. It is applying a ridiculous standard on our troops and stopping the best and brightest from serving in our military. The result is American lives are being lost. Give me the very best trained, most-able bodied fighting force out there and if they are all straight, fine, if they are all gay, fine -- but America's national security demands nothing but the very best. -Victor Maldonado"Are you straight? Yes, then go ahead and sew up this patient. Oh wait, you're gay!! I'm sorry you can't treat this patient because it'll disrupt the unit cohesion of our armed forces."
Labels: linguists, recruiting
-----01-18-08 Comment (0)
The Right Time
Hearst columnist Marianne Means (pictured) has a great column in this morning's Jamestown Sun (in Jamestown, North Dakota) about the need - now - to dump "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and allow lesbian and gay troops to serve openly.
Looking back at the 1993 debate on gays in the military, Means writes that, "The fight over gays in the military was an echo of the crusade by many of the same aging macho guys to keep women away from the battlefield on grounds they would prove a distraction that would weaken the spirit of real warriors. Quaint, pea-brain stuff, but politically potent at the time."
And looking to the future, she sees sure signs of progress.
"An aggressive Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., the popular new chairman of a previously moribund House Armed Services Committee subcommittee, is going to stir the pot," Means writes. "Tauscher has said that she would hold hearings that she hoped would lead to the policy’s repeal. She promised to 'begin the necessary education process' for the change. She also denounced as 'wrongheaded' the comments by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Peter Pace that homosexuality is immoral. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates later declined to reappoint Pace to a second term."
Now, Means concludes, is the "right time" to lift the ban.
"As violence and social turmoil escalate in Iraq, U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker pleaded with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to allow him more well-qualified staff members and to ease some of her security rules," she recalls. "He complained about not enough “right people with the right skill sets.” What skill sets? Opposition to abortion, as a required job criterion in the Justice Department? Or a familiarity with Middle East culture — and even an ability to speak the language?"
"We have learned a great deal about what it means to be gay in the past two decades. It is not a moral 'choice.' It is who you are. And that doesn’t mean that you are a danger to your country and can’t be a good soldier, if that’s what moves you."
To read the full column, click here.
- Steve RallsLabels: Congress, editorials, in the news, Tauscher
-----01-18-08 Comment (0)
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses…
On the heels of reports that the U.S. military is lowering its standards to meet recuiting goals, including signing up felons and senior citizens, comes this story from the Denver Post that the U.S. Army is sending wounded and injured soldiers back to Iraq and Afghanistan rather than allowing openly gay service members into the ranks.
In e-mails obtained by the Denver Post, reporter Erin Emory reveals that soldiers at Ft. Carson, CO who were designated not medically fit were sent to war despite their injuries, in order that the Army could meet its "deployable strength" goals.
One of the soldiers, Master Sgt. Denny Nelson, who was sent overseas last month, despite doctors' orders that he not run, jump or carry more than 20 pounds, told the newspaper that he was one of at least 52 soldiers deployed who should not have been.
"There were two soldiers deployed with a torn rotator cuff. Another soldier was sent overseas who had mental-health issues, and another suffered from nerve damage to his groin area and had been taking morphine for seven months. When that soldier went to a clinic in Iraq to ask for more pain medication, medical professionals said he could not have it and he was sent home," said Nelson.
At a time when the military is fighting two wars simultaneously, when recruiting is difficult, when standards are being lowered and injured soldiers are being sent off to war, why is Congress still not allowing gay military personnel to serve? Why is "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" still the law?
Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is not about giving into the whims of the gay community. Repeal means allowing gay soldiers to serve so that straight soldiers do not have to deploy on a third or fourth tour of duty. Repeal means giving every sailor and airman the chance to serve next to law abiding men and women rather than next to a felon. Repeal means that we can give senior citizens the opportunity to enjoy their retierment and allow wounded servicemen and women that chance to heal before sending them back to the frontlines. Repeal means having a better, stronger, more capable military that can take on the challenges of defending America by allowing our very best and brightest the chance to serve.
Click here to email your representative and tell them that enough is enough, the time has come to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Labels: recruiting
-----01-17-08 Comment (0)
