Buffalo Gay Soldier Heads To Washington For Don't Ask, Don't Tell Debate
Former Army Sergeant Darren Manzella enlisted in 2002. Two years later he was deployed to Iraq where he says his life changed.
"I thought, why lie to myself anymore," said Manzella. "And I think at that point I came out to myself."
And he began slowly "coming out" as a gay man to his comrades and family and friends back home. And he realized the army was something he wanted to make a career of.
"I knew I was good at what I did, I was a natural leader," he said.
That leadership was recognized with two promotions. But in June, 2008, he was honorably discharged after violating the "don't ask, don't tell" policy because he went on "60 Minutes" to talk about serving in the military as an openly gay man.
"If you wanted to stay in the military, why not just do your job and don't talk about your sexuality," 2 On Your Side's Josh Boose asked Manzella.
"That's a questions a lot of people have and normally I would return that with a question," he replied. "I would say think about your husband and your wife and think about not being able to speak at all about your loved one."
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