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06/28/08-06/30/08

Iraq Veteran Discharged Nearly Two Years After Admitting He's Gay

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 but 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, D.C., 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.

The discharge was effective June 10, a spokesman for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network said in a news release. Manzella was traveling and not immediately available for comment.

The Army press office declined comment by phone Friday but requested an e-mail query, which was submitted and awaiting response.

Manzella first told a military supervisor about his sexual orientation in August 2006 while he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and working in division headquarters. Three weeks after Manzella made the revelation, his battalion commander told him an investigation had been closed without finding "proof of homosexuality."

A month later Manzella was redeployed to Iraq. Manzella and his supporters have said his case demonstrates how the military has been arbitrarily enforcing its "don't ask, don't tell" policy during the war.

Manzella enlisted in the Army in 2002. In Iraq he provided medical care to other soldiers and accompanied his unit on patrols. He was awarded the Combat Medical Badge.

Manzella's last assignment was to Fort Hood with the 1st Cavalry Division. (AP)

Keywords:  DADT 
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Reader Comments

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  • Name: Jill King
    Date posted: 2008-06-29 5:24 AM
    Hometown: Lincoln City

    Comment:

    My Son was critically wounded in Iraq. An IED detonation killed four of his soldiers and left him with 3rd degree burns over 60% of his body, the loss of his left arm and right eye, just to name a few of the many injuries. If it was not for the field medics immediate attention, my son would not be with me now. What kind of thinking is involved that would exclude our gay and lesbian servicemembers their right to serve with honor and dignity. I was completely against this war and extremely proud of our soldiers. DADT is by far the worst policy the military has ever enacted. Thousand serve in silence, honorably and proudly. Orientation should not play a part in who serves.


  • Name: Robert
    Date posted: 2008-06-27 11:41 PM
    Hometown: tampa

    Comment:

    Beggers cant be choosers. I just dont get why the US military feels the need to continue the DADT policy after many other world military powers have scrubbed similar policies with no reprocutions. Medic- In the miliatary- with a continueing number of casualties needing medical aid. But what can be said, we have a pentagon that can get duped by kids, and hacked by any computer junkie, and lose billons of tax payers dollars with out remorse. Its really a shame....


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