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 Here's an interesting story: The Washington Post ran an obituary on March 22 of Major Alan Roberts of the US Army, who died from the explosion of a makeshift bomb in Baghdad. Roberts died on Jan 27. Incredibly, he apparently shielded two other soldiers with his body, who probably would have also died. Here's more about this incredible man:
"What an exceptional, brilliant person -- just well-spoken and
instantly could relate to anybody," Col. Thomas Fernandez, his
commanding officer in Iraq, said in an interview. "He had a gift. He
was unlike anybody I've met before."
The Army officer was awarded a Purple Heart
posthumously and his second Bronze Star, then laid to rest March 14 at
a morning service set against the bare trees of March and attended by
more than 150 mourners. Friends and fellow soldiers came from as far
away as Iraq and South Korea.
The story didn't mention the fact that Roberts, in most civilian circles, was openly gay. Moreover, he actively fought against the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy with organizations like AVER (American Veterans for Equal Rights) and was friends with people in the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.
A local Washington DC gay publication took the Post to task and ran a story that led with Rogers' sexuality, citing close friends:
Smith said he thinks it’s very important for Rogers’ “whole story to get out,” including information that he was gay.
“It’s something I know that Alan would want,” he said. “I don’t know
why they decided to leave the story out that he was gay, but … it
saddens me as a gay veteran myself. It saddens me that part of his life
… can’t be told.”
The Washington Post's Ombudsman, in response to the controversy, has a story that ran this weekend that reveals that the Post did in fact heavily debate whether or not to include mention of his sexuality in the original story, but decided to leave it out. For her part, the Ombudsman thinks they should have mentioned it.
What do you think? Invasion of privacy? Or internal censorship?
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written by Joe O'Donnell on April 03, 2008
I do not believe we should violate his confidentiality unless his family gives permission because they know that he would want it that way. Many gays have sacrificed their lives in our wars, many more have served honorably. But the decision to "come out" in the military is a very difficult one to make. I know that personally. Let's all thank God for his sacrifice!
written by Carl on April 09, 2008
Let the guy rest as he lived. It's not our business if he's gay or straight or something in between. He served us as a soldier. We should honor his memory not his sexuality.
written by Jade on May 15, 2008
i am a gay soldier. it is very hard to fight sometimes for americans freedom when they won't even give me my freedom to be me. i think it is important for people to see that this man was gay in a country that bans the knowledge of gay soldiers yet still he gave his life for his country.