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Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Go!

Military's 'Will and Grace' generation more tolerant of gays

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 14, 2007 5:08 AM CST
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(Newser) – The US military, whose resources are stretched overseas, has become far more tolerant of gays. One Army sergeant turned over a video of a passionate kiss with his boyfriend to superior officers and was merely told to go back to work, according to a "60 Minutes" investigation to be aired Sunday. "I don't care if you're gay or not," he said one officer told him.

Annual discharges of gays have dropped from 1,200 in 2001 to 600 now. "They don't care," a former Marine avionics technician tells Lesley Stahl. "These are our peers, the 'Will and Grace' generation. They grew up with it in the media. They see gay people as people— Americans."

Democratic presidential hopefuls former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., left, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. , right, were among those on stage who raised their hands to say they would eliminate the don't ask, don't tell policy toward gays in the U.S. Military during the...
Democratic presidential hopefuls former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., left, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. , right, were among those on stage who raised their hands to say they...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus. A CBS 60 Minutes report to be broadcast Sunday says that the military is becomeing more tolerant of gays because of the heavy demands of the war.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
U.S. Commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus. A CBS 60 Minutes report to be broadcast Sunday says that the military is becomeing more tolerant of gays because of the heavy demands of the war.(AP Photo/Gerald...   (Associated Press)
Army Sgt Darren Manzella says he handed over graphic evidence that he is gay to superiors but was ignored. ACBS 60 Minutes report to be broadcast Sunday says the military is ignoring its own policy of Don't ask, don't tell.
Army Sgt Darren Manzella says he handed over graphic evidence that he is gay to superiors but was ignored. ACBS 60 Minutes report to be broadcast Sunday says the military is ignoring its own policy of...   (CBS)
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Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Military more open to gays
Christian Science Monitor

Retired officers urge leniency
NPR

 
Iraq • Afghanistan • US Army • gays in the military • 60 Minutes • Sgt. Darren Manzella • Will and Grace • Brian Fricke • Marine

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