Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN
USA Today Reports on Openly Gay Soldiers
This morning's USA Today includes a story from Andrea Stone about the growing number of openly gay troops in the U.S. armed forces. Stone's report features an exclusive interview with SLDN client Darren Manzella (pictured), an openly gay Army Sergeant who remains on active duty, despite telling his command that he is gay, and coming out on a recent edition of the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes.
Manzella "is among a growing number of servicemembers who have told other troops and even commanders they are gay and have not been discharged," Stone writes.
"I thought I would at least be asked about the segment or approached and told I shouldn't speak to the media again," Manzella tells the paper ahead of this moring's press conference at the National Press Club, where he will tell reporters about the reaction he's received from his colleagues and command since coming out.
"The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a gay advocacy group, says it knows of about 500 gay troops who are serving openly without consequences. 'That's the highest number we've ever been aware of,' says SLDN spokesman Steve Ralls. 'Their experiences point to an undeniable shift in the armed forces,'" the report continues.
Stone's full story is available online, here.
- Steve Ralls
Photo by Paul Morse for USA TodayLabels: Darren Manzella, in the news, sldn clients, SLDN on 60 Minutes
-----01-08-08 Comment (0)
It was a tease…
For those of us interested in the ongoing military storyline on the L Word, the opening episode of the season was a tease. Tasha called Alice from where her unit was staging to deploy to Iraq and this sent Alice into depressed mode. It was nice to see the L Word writers trying to convey the sense of isolation that the partners of LGBT service members feel when their loved ones deploy. It is not like Alice could have dropped Tasha off at the plane that would take her to Iraq. But wouldn’t that have been a kick.
Despite the support of her gaggle of friends, Alice lamented that Tasha had not called as promised before her plane was scheduled to take off for Iraq. When would she get to talk with Tasha again? Would Tasha be alright? And, how would she know if anything happened to Tasha while she was deployed? All of these unspoken questions are what the partners of LGBT service members face everyday. Alice was lucky because she was able to see Tasha again at the end of the episode when Tasha showed up at her front door.
Avoiding all of Alice’s questions about why she was at Alice’s doorstep, Tasha’s tone indicated something might be amiss. I guess we will just have to tune in next week for an explanation. The tease has lured us in for another season. Here’s hoping that Tasha is able to balance her love for her career and country with her feelings for Alice. Something tells me that the road will be rocky!
-Kathi Westcott, Esq.
Labels: kathi westcott, the l word
-----01-07-08 Comment (0)
Sergeant Manzella on Michelangelo Signorile - Tuesday
Sergeant Darren Manzella (pictured) will be a guest on Tuesday's edition of The Michelangelo Signorile Show on Sirius OutQ. Tune in, beginning at 3:30pm EST, to hear Darren talk about his experience post-60 Minutes, and the reaction he has received from his colleagues and commands since coming out on national television.
And for more information on the show, click here.
- Steve RallsLabels: Darren Manzella, in the news, sldn clients, SLDN on 60 Minutes
-----01-07-08 Comment (0)
We’ll Tell What The ‘L’ is Going On
The girls are back, this Sunday on Showtime.
Yes, it's the long-awaited season premiere of the hit series The L Word. And, as the Associated Press reports, one of this season's major story lines focuses on Tasha, the lesbian National Guard soldier whose life is suddenly impacted by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
From AP:
On the season premiere, Tasha begins the process of being discharged from the military.
Add in Tasha's implosive "attitude" — she may be suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome — and the new season of "The L Word" does not bode well for the patriotic character.
As the season progresses, Alice is used as evidence against Tasha in a two-episode arc featuring Kelly McGillis ("Witness," "Top Gun") as Col. Gillian Davis, a by-the-book military lawyer.
"Alice ends up on the stand (at Tasha's hearing)," Hailey says. "That's when you see Alice in her full glory. She's not ashamed to speak out. She's not afraid to put her foot in her mouth. She's not afraid to be out of the closet."
Tune in on Sunday, then come back here to Frontlines on Monday, when SLDN's deputy director for law, Kathi Westcott, will break down the episode and tell us what The 'L' is going on . . .
- Steve RallsLabels: the l word
-----01-04-08 Comment (0)
Cholene, Speaking Out on the Blend
Surf over to Pam's House Blend, where blog mistress Pam Spaulding has an exclusive Q&A with SLDN board member Cholene Espinoza about the December 16 edition of 60 Minutes, featuring Cholene and SLDN client Darren Manzella.
Cholene talks with Pam about the positive reaction she's received about the story, about change that's happening in communities and on Capitol Hill, and about those who support the ban and their out-dated rationales.
" . . . I think the most persuasive argument I can make is the fact that today, we have hundreds, perhaps even thousands of gay service members serving openly, (such as Darren), and yet, we are in a war, when cohesion is essential, and there is no negative impact to unit cohesion," Cholene says. "In short, DADT is federally mandated discrimination being propped up with simple bigotry."
Blend readers can also leave their own questions for Cholene on Pam's site.
Click here for the full interview, posted exclusively at the Blend.
- Steve RallsLabels: Darren Manzella, other blogs, sldn clients, SLDN on 60 Minutes
-----01-04-08 Comment (0)
Sergeant Manzella (and mom) Come to Washington
Army Sergeant Darren Manzella, the openly gay medic recently featured on 60 Minutes, will make his first public appearance following the CBS broadcast in Washington, with SLDN, on January 9.
SLDN invites our D.C. supporters to join us, from 6-8pm, at the Army-Navy Club (at 901 17th Street, N.W.), to meet Sergeant Manzella, learn more about his story and become involved in SLDN's work to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
The event, which is free and open to the public, will also feature Darren's mom, Nancy Manzella, who is traveling to Washington to support Darren as he speaks out about his experience serving as an openly gay soldier.
Make plans to join us on Wednesday for an unforgettable evening with Sergeant Manzella. For more information on the Army-Navy Club, including directions, click here. And to read more about Sergeant Manzella, visit SLDN online.
Click here to RSVP for Wednesday's reception.
- Steve RallsLabels: Darren Manzella, events, sldn clients, SLDN on 60 Minutes
-----01-03-08 Comment (0)
