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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 Today

Labels: Darren Manzella, in the news, sldn clients, SLDN on 60 Minutes

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01-08-08