CBS’ long-running 60 Minutes spends at least some of this Sunday’s time exploring the ins and outs of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. In addition to exploring Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Leslie Stahl sits down with Darren Manzella, the army sergeant who unceremoniously came out last June. From SLDN:
Manzella tells Stahl that he has received overwhelming support from both his fellow soldiers and superiors since coming out last year. Stahl’s report also looks at SLDN’s work in assisting service personnel such as Manzella, and the organization’s campaign to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
…
“Sergeant Manzella’s story illustrates the arbitrary and uneven enforcement of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” said SLDN executive director Aubrey Sarvis. “Many commands, like Manzella’s, recognize that their lesbian and gay troops are instrumental in the work of defending our country.”
Manzella recounts to Stahl how his commander called him into the office to investigate his queer disclosure. Despite Manzella’s admission and pictures of his boyfriend, the military man simply told him to get back to his duties. “I was told to go back to work. There was no evidence of homosexuality. [My superior said,] You’re not gay.” Another once said, “I don’t care if you’re gay or not.” Someone tell Condi to tune in…
jknight
Thanks for posting!!
WWH
The end of DADT is near, no matter how ya slice it. Oh, and Mr. soldier boy has gay-face; they already knew for sure.
ggreen
Its heard to be optimistic about this because Leslie Stahl is such a hackneyed dip shit of a “reporterâ€. She will probably ask the guy something like how could he keep from molesting fellow solders once he saw them naked. Or how important are show tunes to a gay soldier.
ProfessorVP
Ggreen, I’ve long wondered if anyone besides me noticed Stahl is an idiot, too fluffy for even daytime television. WWH, agreed, Soldier Boy’s face has that “je ne sais quoi…”; whatever it is, it is the expression of a gay blade. But I think you’re wrong about DADT ending. All the Republican candidates- even the usually intelligent and Constitution-based Ron Paul- are for keeping DADT; that just leaves the Democrats. And we know how courageous they are, and determined to do the right thing regarding any issue.
dantiger
I think he has an adorable face gay or straight and he has more guts to do what he did than you bitchy queens. I’m sure you never served in the military. Maybe you served yourself 4 or 5 times at the free buffet.
John K.
I, too, applaud what he is doing. Unfortunately for him, I don’t think his military career is going to survive this one. He’s basically goading (and rightfully so) the government into kicking him out.
I personally wish all gay and lesbian military members would come out on the same pre-planned day. That would certainly accelerate the debate on DADT.
hisurfer
I really think DADT might end this round. The military is seriously suffering with all of Bush’s wars, and I don’t think they can afford to fight it this time.
side to Dantiger – I don’t see anyone being bitchy to the soldier in these posts.
phil
DADT has some time before it finally goes. If whoever the next president is wraps up most of this mess in Iraq and various other countries where we still have troops deployed (Afghanistan, Korea), and there’s less of a “war” going on, then there will be no requirement to have gay soldiers. At the moment the US cannot use a draft but is still desperate for a strong military that if a soldier is already enlisted and comes out, he or she will most likely get to keep the job.
The same thing happened in WWII and Vietnam.
A good book for follow up is Conduct Unbecoming by Randy Shilts (he wrote And the Band Played On as well). It documents the history of homosexuality in the military and shows, among many other things, how policies change depending on the need for soldiers.
ProfessorVP
Dantiger, I applaud and support anyone who is doing his part in defending the United States, making it safer. But what on earth does that have to do with serving in Iraq or Afghanistan- if that’s where Manzella was?
What is more important to me- ending these unnecessary, bankrupting, illegal wars for oil and war-profiteering, or Manzella’s feelings? Don’t make me laugh. Either this fella didn’t know what these adventures are really about or didn’t care to know what he was fighting for, or, more probably, wanted to meet straight hot guys. My bet: Door #2.
JohannBacker
The current “conflicts” are—— volunteer.
Bring back the Draft and let the heterosexuals SERVE. One who volunteers is NOT “serving”.
If your significant other is killed, you want get a pension—- will you?
DADT was NOT an issue in 1965,[33-65-47-1023 – 4F] nor should it be one now.
If one wants an education….. go to college.
Bill Perdue
It’s completely correct to support the rights of GLBT folk in the military, whether they’re there because of poverty or to escape the abuse of bigoted parents. It’s also ok to defend their civil rights if they’re simply stupid and believe they’re fighting for anyone but the oil companies.
Because of official military and political bigotry, codified in the Clinton’s gaybashing DADT, gays and lesbians in the armed forces have been beaten, occasionally murdered and usually unjustly denied benefits. It’s unlikely, given their rape of ENDA and the ‘misplacement’ of the hate crimes bill that DADT will be ended by the Democrats in Congress.
After the elections a new political dynamic will unfold. The Democrats are likely to win, and inherit the war and a severe economic nosedive. Given that both parties are terrified of renewing the draft they may revisit DADT as the need for cannon fodder increases. We have to join with the antiwar movement in appealing to gay GLBT youth to get out and stay out of the military.
ProfessorVP
Perdue, you are right about everything, and particularly the very last sentence, with one exception. No, I don’t take it for granted the Democrats will win the White House. Reason #1: Just today, the secretary of state of Ohio said there’s a major problem with the integrity of their voting machines. Reason #2: If nominee is Hillary, prepare yourself to say President Romney or President Huckabee, endless war, and what little separation of church-state we currently have will go the way of the 8-track.
Gregg
VP – I agree with you on this one. Where did you see the news about Ohio? I’d love to read up on it, since election theft is my biggest fear (since it clearly happened before, why should it not happen again?)
Gregg
Hmm, the lack of a response makes me doubt the validity of VP’s claim.
Asker
WHY does 60 Minutes insist on having Leslie Stahl do the reporting on any gay themed stories. She has proven time and again that she does an utterly horrible job on this topic because she has no grasp of what being homosexual means and all the social, emotional, legal and other implications that go along with it. This subject is not one that she can cover. She trivializes the centrality of sexual orientation to one’s identity. Because of that she is ready to have us give up on seeking equality because it “could be difficult”. Excuse me, has any significant progress in society accomplished without a fair bit or struggle? Yes there will be those among the troops who will not be comfortable with their gay peers. Yes the services will have to spell out, after DADT is repealed, exactly what behavior is and is not accepted while serving – just as they already regulate the conduct of troops while they are on active duty. The policy is based on bigotry – it does not belong in the military of a free nation – Duncan Hunter and his position are simply bigotry dressed up with excuses.