CNN tells the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" story of Darren Manzella

h/t "An_American_Karol" for catching this major story on "Don't Ask Don't Tell" featured on CNN's home page front and center. U.S. Army sergeant Darren Manzella's mostly positive reception parallels mine even though I was discharged back in 1988 before "Don't Ask Don't Tell." After my being gay was made public knowledge, many of my shipmates on my submarine made a point of approaching me and telling me if I was what it meant to be gay they had no problem serving with me. Granted, I'm not sure every single sailor felt that way but I do know how the controversial issue of racism was handled back then. There was zero tolerance for it; when it occurred, and it did, it was punished quickly and severely. It was stopped dead in its tracks by the military leadership. From the top down the military culture was cultivated to not support racism so it was very rarely a problem.

Manzella said he was read his rights and told that he would be investigated, but that he could continue working. As the investigation proceeded, word spread that Manzella was gay.

"Ironically, it pulled the unit together. A lot of them started to invite me out," Manzella said. "My co-worker was getting married; she told me that my boyfriend and I were invited to the wedding. It made me feel like I was more a part of the family."

I would argue it could have been done back in 1988, but by 2009 it is ridiculous to continue kicking openly gay or lesbian soldiers out of the military.

In 2006, Manzella's unit was sent back to Iraq, and he served his 15-month deployment with his unit knowing he was gay.

"I could have pictures of my boyfriend out, I could talk freely on the phone without having to worry about someone overhearing me and reporting me," he said.

Of course, sadly, after the military decided his profile was too public for them to continue to ignore him they discharged him, and ended his military career. It is time for the President to stop enforcing DADT and discharging patriotic gay, lesbian or bisexual troops. The President could sign a stop loss order and stop the discharges of troops like Manzella until the unfair policy is revoked.

It's just another one of those unfulfilled promises to the LGBT community that have, hopefully temporarily, closed the gAyTM for the DNC.