Army dismisses gay soldier 'outed' by e-mail

AP ^ | 7/27/6 | DUNCAN MANSFIELD

[SmithL]

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) - A decorated sergeant and Arabic language specialist was dismissed from the U.S. Army under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, though he says he never admitted being gay and his accuser was never identified.

Bleu Copas, 30, told The Associated Press he is gay, but said he was "outed" by a stream of anonymous e-mails to his superiors in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.

"I knew the policy going in," Copas said in an interview on the campus of East Tennessee State University, where he is pursuing a master's degree in counseling and working as a student adviser. "I knew it was going to be difficult."

An eight-month Army investigation culminated in Copas' honorable discharge on Jan. 30 _ less than four years after he enlisted, he said, out of a post-Sept. 11 sense of duty to his country.

Copas now carries the discharge papers, which mention his awards and citations, so he can document his military service for prospective employers. But the papers also give the reason for his dismissal.

He plans to appeal to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records.

The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, established in 1993, prohibits the military from inquiring about the sex lives of service members, but requires discharges of those who openly acknowledge being gay.

The policy is becoming "a very effective weapon of vengeance in the armed forces" said Steve Ralls, a spokesman for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a Washington-based watchdog organization that counseled Copas and is working to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Copas said he was never open about his sexuality in the military and suspects his accuser was someone he mistakenly befriended and apparently slighted.

More than 11,000 service members have been dismissed under the policy, including 726 last year _ an 11 percent jump from 2004 and the first increase since 2001.

That's less than a half-percent of the more than 2 million soldiers, sailors and Marines dismissed for all reasons since 1993, according to the General Accountability Office.

But the GAO also noted that nearly 800 dismissed gay or lesbian service members had critical abilities, including 300 with important language skills. Fifty-five were proficient in Arabic, including Copas, a graduate of the Defense Language Institute in California.

Discharging and replacing them has cost the Pentagon nearly $369 million, according to the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Lt. Col. James Zellmer, Copas' commanding officer in the 313th military intelligence battalion, told the AP that "the evidence clearly indicated that Sgt. Copas had engaged in homosexual acts."

While investigators were never able to determine who the accuser was, "in the end, the nature and the volume of the evidence and Sgt. Copas's own sworn statement led me to discharge him," Zellmer said.

Military investigators wrote that Copas "engaged in at least three homosexual relationships, and is dealing with at least two jealous lovers, either of whom could be the anonymous source providing this information."

Shortly after Copas was appointed to the 82nd Airborne's highly visible All-American Chorus last May, the first e-mail came to the chorus director.

"The director brought everyone into the hallway and told us about this e-mail they had just received and blatantly asked, 'Which one of you are gay?'" Copas said.

Copas later complained to the director and his platoon sergeant, saying the questions violated "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"They said they would watch it in the future," Copas said. "And they said, even specifically then, 'Well, you are not gay are you?' And I said, 'no.'"

The accuser, who signed his e-mails "John Smith" or "ftbraggman," pressed Copas' superiors to take action against him or "I will inform your entire battalion of the information that I gave you."

On Dec. 2, investigators formally interviewed Copas and asked if he understood the military's policy on homosexuals, if he had any close acquaintances who were gay, and if he was involved in community theater. He answered affirmatively.

But Copas declined to answer when they asked, "Have you ever engaged in homosexual activity or conduct?" He refused to answer 19 of 47 questions before he asked for a lawyer and the interrogation stopped.

Copas said he accepted the honorable discharge to end the ordeal, to avoid lying about his sexuality and risking a perjury charge, and to keep friends from being targeted.

"It is unfair. It is unjust," he said. "Even with the policy we have, it should never have happened."

[FloridianBushFan]

Still avoiding the issue. Can't prove as to why gays can not serve in the military huh. Every reason you and and others like you give has been disproved. That is show en by the other militaries who allow gays to serve and be able to defend and serve their country.

I do not support other countries. I am American and I believe any American who can physically, mentally and wants to should be allowed to serve their country and defend it. There is no proof in your reasoning that gays can not perform in battle zone. Their is proof they they are able to by looking at the other militaries throughout the world that does have gays serving legally and are still in top shape and some the best militaries in the world.

[Retired Army Special Forces]

Don't you love it...

"And how about this... lets say gay marriage is legalized in this country in the future. What if 2 Gay siblings wanted to get married? Using the VERY same logic that liberals use, there is no valid reason not to allow the incestuous marriage I described to take place. Their only valid concern would be their kids having "genetic defeats", but that is irrelevant considering the couple would be gay. So there you go, gay marriage logic leading directly to incest with no "slippery slope" whatsoever."


Yep, good one icdorn. Liberal freaks don't want to talk about Islamofacist Hezbolla vs Israel cause we all know that the Left comes down on the side of terrorism and anything that is against America. They want to talk about gay this and gay that all the time. Frigging party of queers and the useless parasites of society and champions of "Victimology" they are.

[Lucky Dog]

I'd say yes, [felons should be allowed to join the military] but it depends on the nature of the felony.

I think the source of your problem is apparent with the above statement. By definition, a felon is someone who has committed a serious crime, i.e., a major violation of the law. In most states these people are prohibited from even voting without a court hearing to restore the right.

Your stated position is apparently that you have no problem with these former jailbirds having access to knowledge that is, quite literally, life and death to other individuals should it fall into the wrong hands. In certain circumstances, the transfer of some military secrets could mean the death of thousands of, not just soldiers, but, potentially, American civilians as well.

These are people who have proven conclusively by their actions that they are patently untrustworthy and too undisciplined to follow civilian law, let alone much more restrictive military law and regulations. Yet, you would put them in positions where others must place their lives in the hands of these people.

This kind of muddle-headed reasoning makes it easy to see why you have no problem with queers who would break the UCMJ entering the Armed Services and continuing to serve. Hell, what’s a few felonies among the enlightened?

[Retired Army Special Forces]

I see FloriDUHbushfan still won't answer the question but instead is simply a shill for the homosexual agenda and gets a daily paycheck for .50 from Howard Dean and another .50 from KOS with a nickle from the DUmmies.

Whatever, you still lost and that makes you losers yesterday and still today. You guys on the Left will continue to lose elections and the Culture War because your party is mostly about one thing - forcing the homosexual agenda onto Mainstream America and a few other lame ass causes you freaks are obsessed with. Meanwhile, the rest of us are just trying to hold the line against the Leftist FREAK show that passes for the "Democrat" party these days.

Why don't you move to Eurotrash Land or CaniDUH if you hate the way America currently is?

[FloridianBushFan]

If you actually think that is true then you must be completely closed off from the world or very sick. Maybe both.

I have served with and know some people who were in the military and happen to be gay ( men and women). They were in the military to serve their country , defend it and for education purposes just like anyone else who joins the services. They are not joining for the reasons that you are stating. You really need to get out in the world and stop basing everything on stereotypes that are not always correct.

[Retired Army Special Forces]

Typical of the sick degenerate American Hating Democrats. If you don't agree with them you are "sick" or from another planet when of course the opposite is true...heh, heh... The Left hates to be challenged on ANYTHING, that's what 40 years holding power in this country did. Turned them into a bunch of spoiled ass Marxist brats. Friggin Marxist Socialistic puppets.

[Red Badger]

Should convicted felons ... ... be denied entry into the armed forces?

I said "Yes". How did you get a "No" out of that?........

[FloridianBushFan]

Listen here> I answered your questions I stated I don't believe in or care what other countries governments do. I an American. I am a Conservative Republican. I support President Bush, I am a big fan of President Reagan. Any of my friends will tell you I am pure GOP. I have no problem whatsoever defending to GOP and President Bush and where I live and work I do that on a daily basis. I defend the principles of the Republican party continuously. Don't dare call me a Democrat just because we disagree on this one issue. That would be the same as me calling you a Nazi or a Islamfasism since you seem to carry the same principles and beliefs as they do on this type issue.I can not stand Dean or the likes of him or the liberals. I am not no homosexual activist. I do not support Gay marriage and believe marriage is between one woman and one guy in the eyes of God.

[Red Badger]

Isn't it interesting that Red Badger and some others doesn't seem to see the logic that you and I plainly see?

I don't know about the others, but I see your logic perfectly. That does not mean I agree with all of it. Some of it, yes. I fully respect your positions and know you only want the best for our country. I just happen to believe it could be better, under a different set of circumstances...........

[TRY ONE]

"You sound like a complete moron with your statement. Go back to sucking an egg in Houston."

Ah, so we touched a nerve. For those of us who don't want to be in a foxhole with a nest of queers ---

I'm not Homophobic (phobia means "fear of")

I'm Homo.disgust.ie

[Red Badger]

It's been nice talking to you, but gotta go home now..............

[Lucky Dog]

I have served with and know some people who were in the military and happen to be gay (men and women).

Allow me to repost something for you:

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, Article. I., Section. 8., [Congress shall have the power] Clause 14: To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

As enacted by the United States Congress:

Uniform Code of Military Justice

925. ART. 125. SODOMY

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who engages in unnatural carnal copulation with another person of the same or opposite sex or with an animal is guilty of sodomy. Penetration , however slight, is sufficient to complete the offense.

(b) Any person found guilty of sodomy shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

If you served with people in the military that you knew were gay at the time (i.e., actively engaging in homosexual activities) and failed to report it to your superiors, you were an accessory to a crime. These people were violating the law and you were aiding and abetting by not doing your sworn duty to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. If you only suspected that these people were queer and you level such accusations without solid evidence, then you have besmirched the reputation of loyal patriots. Either way you have lied and proven yourself to be without honor.

The only possible salvation for your honor is if these individuals told you that they had committed sodomy during their service after both, you and they, were out of the service. If this is the case, then these people are admitting that they are dishonorable, law breaking, oath violators. Furthermore, you are staining your own honor by defending their law breaking.

[Little Bill]

My, my seem to have hit a nerve. That was the way it was, most of my fellow NCO's were soldiers first and Blacks second, all had the CIB and many had the CIB and a Star, My Platoon Sargent was Japanese and was on his third war

The First Sleeve was black and the Battalion Sgt Maj, was a Mexican, the XO and two of the Platoon leaders were Black and very Brave men, so stuff your reciminations where the sun doesn't shine

[mjwise]

I see. Thank you for clearing that up for me.

Freepsville infested by the Left today, for sure.

Yeah, well it hasn't been infested with manners or respect, that's for sure.

[TheGunny]

Ooohhhhhhhhhh, the ship. Well that explains it....this discussion is about good order and discipline; you're dismissed!

[TheSuaveOne]

Descrimination is descrimination. To deny it exists is naive at the least, no matter how many different types there are or have been.

Sexual orientation should have nothing to do with the qualifications of being in the military. No matter who knows about it...la

[TheGunny]

I absolutely am sorry for not reading you correctly...this subject really gets me spun up. Im leaving in a few weeks for #3 and discipline in job 1.

[TheGunny]

I absolutely am sorry for not reading you correctly...this subject really gets me spun up. Im leaving in a few weeks for #3 and discipline in job 1.

[whatisthetruth]

his accuser was someone he mistakenly befriended and apparently slighted.

Translation; Befriended a fellow closeted gay who developed a sexual infatuation on him which wasn't returned in kind.

[whatisthetruth]

They were in the military to serve their country , defend it and for education purposes just like anyone else who joins the services.

That is a bogus lie, gays have no reason to join the military other than to recruit. Granted educational benefits might persuade some primarily but the yummy 'bonus' benefits weigh at the top in their considerations, thats 'servicing' their country's men and and not serving their country as you would like people to believe.

You must be so in love with homos you refuse to see the green of the forest for all the lavender trees. And yes I did serve and some of my best FORMER friends were gay. I know of what I speak.