Sgt. comes out, but is told to stay in (xpost from Veterans)

'No evidence of homosexuality'
Darren Manzella hides nothing from his fellow...


Sgt. comes out, but is told to stay in
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jan 12, 2008 12:32:52 EST

Darren Manzella was out of the closet.

The Army sergeant told an officer he was a homosexual, and the officer turned him in. During the investigation, Manzella admitted he was gay and even offered visual confirmation: a home videotape showing him kissing his civilian boyfriend.

Needless to say, Manzella was surprised with his commanding officer’s verdict: “They found no evidence of homosexuality,” he said.

Manzella took that as evidence, he said, that “they were trying to retain the best and most qualified soldiers. And I’m hoping to see a growth in that pattern among commands throughout the Army and the military branches.”

Manzella, 30, is assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division, and works in the Division Surgeon section. He just completed his second deployment to the Middle East. During the first, he served in the Iraq war zone and earned the Combat Medical Badge; more recently, he spent the better part of 15 months as a medical liaison at a Navy hospital in Kuwait.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/01/military_dontask_080112w/



uhc comment: Previous thread on Manzella --> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=259&topic_id=9446

they're not letting anyone out under stop-loss

...when used for purposes of retaliation, or to get rid of someone you don't like. Especially if you're in a desk job.

because if they do, then they will have to admit that GLBT members of the armed services are just as valuable as other members.

I have heard the BS "reasons" that officers give for not allowing GLBT individuals to be out in the military (lack of control, insubordination, etc) and they aren't a problem in countries like Germany and Israel, which has universal conscription and openly Gay members.

I have many friends who are currently serving, or have just gotten back stateside after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they still worried the services will find out and they lose their benefits. That really pisses me off...

I just hope we get a Dem in in '09, and then our military can open its eyes and allow its members to serve, gay straight bi transgender or whoever they are without fear of discrimination!

It appears that some of the officers are turning a blind eye to the "Policy". I have read more than 1 officers posting on the subject that they have no issue with Gay people under their command. But at the same time wouldn't be afraid to use the DADT policy to remove someone who they wanted to get rid of for other reasons.

The attitudes of the younger officers are changing. But it will take a long time for all the old homophobes to be sufficiently retired from the system. Which is why the policy must change. Still it's encouraging to see young officers judge people not by the orientation of their attraction but by the content of their character.