An Interview with Sergeant Darren Manzella
Openly gay Army Sergeant Darren Manzella was discharged on June 10 under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law forbidding military service by openly gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans. Manzella spotlighted the injustice of DADT when he was profiled by the CBS news magazine 60 Minutes in December 2007. In that interview he told correspondent Lesley Stahl that he served openly during much of his time in the Army, with the full support of his colleagues and command.
Manzella, 30, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2002 and was twice deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was awarded the Combat Medical Badge for providing medical care to his fellow soldiers, Iraqi National Guardsmen and civilians while under fire.
SLDN: How did it feel to learn of your discharge?
Manzella: When I first found out that I was being discharged I was disappointed even though I knew that it was a possibility. However I had begun to hope that the Army was going to retain me because I was an asset to the military and this country, regardless of my sexual orientation. When my commander informed that me I was being recommended for discharge, I had received orders and was anticipating a transfer to Fort Drum, NY to begin a hospital position at their medical facility.
It was difficult to be told, despite serving in a war zone for two rotations and proving my skills in combat, that the Army no longer wanted me to continue serving. And to be told that I was being discharged, not because of bad conduct or poor work performance, but because of who I am was frustrating.
What was the reaction of your fellow soldiers to your appearance on 60 Minutes, and now to your discharge?
After my appearance on 60 Minutes I received a lot of support from most of my colleagues. Some were surprised that I made such a public statement but told me that they were proud of me for standing up for people who could not speak out. To them, I was still SERGEANT Manzella though. I really didn’t notice a change in how I was treated or viewed.
Many of my peers and co-workers voiced to me that they felt it was unfair that I was being discharged. They felt, as many people in our military and society feel, that an able and competent soldier should be retained especially in this time when we are fighting two wars and need every capable man and woman who is willing to put on a uniform and serve their country.
Do you have any regrets about coming out on national television?
I do not and will not regret ever speaking out against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. I feel that I had an opportunity to use my voice and offer it to the thousands of gay and lesbian service members who are forced to serve in silence. I had the opportunity to request a board and rebut my statements that were seen on the 60 Minutes segment. I declined the option and said I would never take back what I said, and that I would never live my life in silence again.
How has SLDN helped you through this process?
SLDN has been by my side for over two years now and I am extremely grateful for all of their advice and support. In addition to their exceptional legal advice, my attorneys, Aaron Tax and Kathi Westcott, helped me weigh the consequences of going public with my story.
What’s next for you?
I am currently working with SLDN in Washington, DC. I have been helping to plan and organize events across the country in an effort to educate and inform citizens of the harm and disservice that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” imposes on our society. I have started traveling to these events and have the opportunity to relay my story in an effort to offer some personal perspective and put a face to a story.
What advice would you offer to young gays and lesbians considering a career in the military?
I have been asked for advice by young gay men and women contemplating a career in the military. I tell them what I would tell anyone whether they be male/female, black/white/Hispanic/Asian, gay or straight. If you choose to defend your country just do your job the very best you can and don’t let any classification make you feel as if you are not worthy of wearing that uniform. And if a situation occurs, much like what I recently experienced, you will know that you are a true American patriot, even if an outdated policy says that you are no longer fit to serve your country.
How is the transition back to civilian life?
I am still adjusting. I do not miss meeting early for morning exercise or standing in the rain for formations, but I miss the pride of serving and helping to make our nation more safe and secure.
Labels: Darren Manzella, SLDN on 60 Minutes
06-27-08
4 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.The White Man on December 31, 1969 at 02.00 pm
I’m confused. I keep hearing the self-descriptive term, “Gays and Lesbians” (hardly ever “Lesbians and Gays”). I also am hearing more and more the terms “GLT” and “GLBT”. All of these make gender distinctions among people who are not “straight” (a term that doesn’t carry any gender-speciific connotations).<BR><BR>Are there any non-straight people that oppose gender distinctive labels? If so, what does one call them?
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sbornhoft on December 31, 1969 at 02.00 pm
SGT Manzella’s courage in being true to himself embodies the ideals of Duty, Honor, Country that I learned and later taught at West Point. Truth and honesty are the bedrock of unit cohesion. I hope that congress will soon repeal the law that mandates half-truths (lies, really) and let soldiers like SGT Manzella continue to serve with honor. <BR>—COL Stewart Bornhoft, US Army Retired USMA Class of 1969
jdemdstud77 on December 31, 1969 at 02.00 pm
I would like to thank SLDN for its services. I didn’t know such an advocacy group existed until I started researching this issue… after I heard Keith Olberman talk briefly about Sgt. Manzella being discharged from the U.S. military for being true to himself and to his country. I hope and pray that, we, as Americans will soon change the discriminatory and outdated practice of discarging our service men and women simply because they are gay. I think it’s ironic that the military is shooting itself in the foot; we need every able mind and body to serve and fight for this country and for its freedoms, and to discarge someone because he or she is gay runs contrary to exactly what America is fighting to protect. Thank you to all of those who serve, and have served our country, despite your race, gender, or sexual orientation!!!
OYE on December 31, 1969 at 02.00 pm
Operation Yellow Elephant, a non-partisan grass roots citizens initiative to Support Our President, strongly urges all heterosexuals eligible to serve [healthy and 41-or-under], who support the defense of our nation, to Be A Man! Enlist!<BR><BR>Candidates in favor of the current “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, and their supporters, should be asked whether they are willing to encourage their own eligible-to-serve relatives and friends, their circles of influence, to volunteer for military service in place of Sergeant Darren Manzella.<BR><BR>And also why they have yet to do so.