Iraq veteran discharged for acknowledging he's gay

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The Army has discharged a decorated medic who was deployed to Iraq despite acknowledging he was gay.

Darren Manzella, 30, said he revealed his sexual orientation to his military supervisor in August 2006, and was redeployed to Iraq anyway. He has since spoken out publicly several times about being a gay service member.

Manzella was discharged this month for "homosexual admission." His commander's discharge recommendation included a transcript of an interview he gave to television show "60 Minutes" in December 2007, in which Manzella said he is gay.

He did the same in a number of other interviews and even at a Washington news conference. The military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy prohibits active-duty service members from openly acknowledging they are gay or lesbian.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080627/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/military_gays

[AndyA]

1. Americans may now resume living in caves and clubbing each other...

:eyes:

This country is so fucked up under Bush and the GOP.

[damntexdem]

2. It's time for those who've served several tours to say they are gay, whether or not they are.

In the thousands.

The upshot: the military would either have to change don't ask/don't tell or not be able to keep anyone in Iraq. Either would be good, both preferable.

[orleans]

3. but apparently they will all have to announce this on 60 minutes

because if they do it anywhere else, including military higher-ups, it will not be acknowledged.

and i just don't think 60 minutes has enough time for the thousands and thousands of soldiers.

[Laughing Mirror]

4. 12,000 gay lesbian discharges since DADT out of 65,000 gay lesbian service members

Is a pretty high percentage of discharges for a minority otherwise well-represented in the service.

Is there anybody at all who still supports DADT?

[sarge43]

5. Use 'em up, then throw 'em away.

:nuke:

[yardwork]

6. I notice that they didn't discharge him until after his redeployment.

[gaspee]

7. A good idea for the stop loss people

Just find a good friend and make out in front of your CO. That'll take care of that little Stop Loss issue.

Hell, it's an easy out for anyone wanting out of the military. As long as the military is going to be jackasses about gay service members, they should expect it.

[struggle4progress]

9. What a lovely idea! Hundreds of US troops declaring that they thought

the war might have made them gay!

[FreeState]

10. Or just get married in CA - that will get you out too n/t

[AndyTiedye]

8. So Now You Have to "Tell" On Network TV to Get Out

Seems like the real policy is "we don't want to know" as long as they need cannon fodder.

[provis99]

11. a perfect way to get everyone out of Iraq

just have all 130,000+ of them in Iraq declared gay.