Latest News
11-10-08
By Jason Flanagan
Examiner Staff Writer
11/9/08
The U.S. military's 1993 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which forbids open homosexuality among active service members, led to the honorable discharge of Washington D.C. resident and former Army Sgt. Darren Manzella, an openly gay man who was a medical specialist for six years.
Manzella was discharged earlier this year after being interviewed on CBS' "60 Minutes" about homosexuality in the military.
Since then, he has worked with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network to advocate the repeal of the policy. The network is a non-partisan, nonprofit, legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
The Examiner asked Manzella about his experience, which will be retold Tuesday during a Howard County chapter of the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays event in Columbia.
Why did you come out knowing the repercussions of being gay in the military?
It started after my first deployment to Iraq. After seeing all that death, violence and hostility, I asked myself, ‘What if I didn't return?' I had kept myself in the closet for years, and I didn't want to live like that anymore.
I came out to some close friends and family, and I kept my work and personal lives separate. But I started getting e-mails, saying I was being investigated.
There was an investigation, but it was later determined there was no evidence of homosexuality. I thought it was a great step forward, that the military wanted to retain qualified men and women.
I went on ‘60 Minutes' while on my second deployment in Iraq to talk about the policy. Three months later, I was told I would be discharged, and the interview transcript was attached to the notice.
I could have asked for a board review, but I would have had to rebut all the things I said. I couldn't do that, so I just asked for an honorable discharge instead.
Supporters of the policy say homosexuality can disrupt unit cohesion. Is that true?
I don't believe it. I was an openly gay man in the Army, and the Army's still standing.
Since it was instated, over 12,000 men and women who were capable and able and willing to defend their country have been discharged.
My peers see me for the person that I am. Actually, unit cohesion was better [after I came out] because I could be myself.
They call us the ‘Will and Grace' generation. I think it's just a generational gap, and I see it closing in.
Why not keep your sexuality a secret in order to keep your military career and your livelihood?
I think it's unfair that the person next to you has pictures of his wife and children, but ... you have to hide your e-mails and letters [and pictures.]
Don't get me wrong - I'm pro-military. But I think it's a horrible thing to tell someone how they should live.
With a new administration and a Democratic-controlled Congress, do you believe the policy will change in the near future, or will it take another generation?
That's our hope. We're working closely with President-elect [Barack] Obama and his administration. He has voiced he wants to scrutinize the law. In July, we had a hearing before the Armed Service committee, and I think we were able to educate more people.
I think we're working in the right direction and making people more aware.
3-Minute Interview: Sgt. Darren Manzella
By Jason Flanagan
Examiner Staff Writer
11/9/08
The U.S. military's 1993 "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which forbids open homosexuality among active service members, led to the honorable discharge of Washington D.C. resident and former Army Sgt. Darren Manzella, an openly gay man who was a medical specialist for six years.
Manzella was discharged earlier this year after being interviewed on CBS' "60 Minutes" about homosexuality in the military.
Since then, he has worked with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network to advocate the repeal of the policy. The network is a non-partisan, nonprofit, legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
The Examiner asked Manzella about his experience, which will be retold Tuesday during a Howard County chapter of the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays event in Columbia.
Why did you come out knowing the repercussions of being gay in the military?
It started after my first deployment to Iraq. After seeing all that death, violence and hostility, I asked myself, ‘What if I didn't return?' I had kept myself in the closet for years, and I didn't want to live like that anymore.
I came out to some close friends and family, and I kept my work and personal lives separate. But I started getting e-mails, saying I was being investigated.
There was an investigation, but it was later determined there was no evidence of homosexuality. I thought it was a great step forward, that the military wanted to retain qualified men and women.
I went on ‘60 Minutes' while on my second deployment in Iraq to talk about the policy. Three months later, I was told I would be discharged, and the interview transcript was attached to the notice.
I could have asked for a board review, but I would have had to rebut all the things I said. I couldn't do that, so I just asked for an honorable discharge instead.
Supporters of the policy say homosexuality can disrupt unit cohesion. Is that true?
I don't believe it. I was an openly gay man in the Army, and the Army's still standing.
Since it was instated, over 12,000 men and women who were capable and able and willing to defend their country have been discharged.
My peers see me for the person that I am. Actually, unit cohesion was better [after I came out] because I could be myself.
They call us the ‘Will and Grace' generation. I think it's just a generational gap, and I see it closing in.
Why not keep your sexuality a secret in order to keep your military career and your livelihood?
I think it's unfair that the person next to you has pictures of his wife and children, but ... you have to hide your e-mails and letters [and pictures.]
Don't get me wrong - I'm pro-military. But I think it's a horrible thing to tell someone how they should live.
With a new administration and a Democratic-controlled Congress, do you believe the policy will change in the near future, or will it take another generation?
That's our hope. We're working closely with President-elect [Barack] Obama and his administration. He has voiced he wants to scrutinize the law. In July, we had a hearing before the Armed Service committee, and I think we were able to educate more people.
I think we're working in the right direction and making people more aware.
