Darren Manzella (August 8, 1977 – August 29, 2013) was a United States Army Sergeant, Army medic and gay activist from Portland, New York, who was discharged under the Don't ask, don't tell policy.Military takes no action against gay medic from Chautauqua County, The Buffalo News, by Lindsey McPherson, January 4, 2008, retrieved January 4, 200860 Minutes with Darren Manzella, by Steve Ralls, December 13, 2007, retrieved February 4, 2008 Manzella served in Iraq and Kuwait, and was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas.Soldier: Policy on Gays May Be Shifting, By Suzanna Gamoa, Associated Press, January 8, 2008, retrieved February 4, 2008
Early life Manzella grew up on his parents' grape farm in Portland, Chautauqua County, New York, where he attended Brocton Central School.
Activism Manzella came out to his commander after rumors of his sexuality surfaced in the form of threats to "turn the flame down." Manzella had at that point told his unit that he was gay and had introduced them to his boyfriend, A.J.Military Soft On Don't Ask, Don't Tell?, 60 Minutes, December 16, 2007, retrieved February 4, 2008
No action was taken against Manzella due to the army's finding no evidence of his homosexuality in its investigation, which included a video provided by Manzella displaying passionate kissing between him and his boyfriend. The investigation concluded that he should return to work and he was told, "You're not gay" and that "proof of homosexuality" had not been found.
Commendations During his service, he earned the Combat Medical Badge.
60 Minutes and discharge Manzella came out on American news program 60 Minutes in 2007,In and Out: Despite a national profile as an openly gay soldier, Uncle Sam still wants Sgt. Darren Manzella, Metro Weekly, by Will O'Bryan, March 6, 2008, retrieved March 13, 2008 the first openly gay service member on active duty to speak to the press from a war zone. His decision to appear on the show resulted from his opposition to the Don't ask, don't tell policy and his desire to build momentum for ending it. He believed that gays and lesbians should be able to serve openly. He said that due to the 60 Minutes interview he would likely be discharged. He was placed on block leave. He worked with the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a gay military organization and lobby group.
Manzella was discharged with full benefits in June 2008 for acknowledging that he was gay.Openly Gay Army Sergeant Discharged Under 'Don't ask, don't tell' , FoxBusiness News, June 26, 2007, accessed June 27, 2008 The DADT policy was repealed in 2011.
Immediately following the repeal of DADT, Manzella enlisted into the New York Army National Guard and was promoted and awarded for his meritorious service.
In August 2011, Manzella returned to Rochester and began working as a health science specialist for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
He joined the reserves shortly before his death in 2013.
Personal life and death Manzella married Javier Lapeira in Rochester on July 5, 2013. On August 29, 2013, Manzella was killed when the driver of an SUV hit him as he was in the act of pushing his disabled vehicle off the road in Pittsford, Monroe County, New York.
See also Sexual orientation and the United States military
References
External links CNN: Pelin Sidki, "Discharged under 'don't ask, don't tell'," November 10, 2009, accessed May 30, 2013 Chris Johnson, "Army sergeant comes out on CBS '60 Minutes'", January 11, 2008 "Darren Manzella Dead: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Activist Dies In Traffic Accident", August 30, 2013