Bisexual soldier discharged

A soldier who tried for more than two years to resign, claiming he is bisexual, has been discharged from the U.S. Army, according to his lawyer.

The Army had turned down at least four resignation requests by Capt. David Donovan, suggesting that the 17-year veteran was lying to get out of his active-duty obligation. Donovan's lawyer, Todd Conormon, said Wednesday that his client was granted a discharge some time during the past few weeks. He said he didn't know exactly when Donovan was discharged or what type of discharge he received. "Obviously it was a difficult ordeal, so I think he just wants to pursue his civilian career," Conormon said. "He never did this, as far as I could see, for any particular crusade other than to do the right thing personally."

Maj. Steven Stover, an Army spokesman, said Thursday that he could not confirm if or when Donovan had been discharged.

Donovan made his first resignation requests in 2000. He said he had engaged in homosexual conduct in the past but refused to provide specifics for fear the Army might charge him with a crime. Homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under military law.

Last year 1,250 people were discharged from the military for homosexuality--the most since 1987, according to a study by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an advocacy group for gays in the military.