NORFOLK, Va., Aug. 7 (UPI) -- A former U.S. military intelligence specialist who had a gay roommate says he's learned that sexual orientation has nothing to do with being a good soldier.
Steve Vossler, who describes himself as a straight, religious kid from Nebraska, told a forum on gays in the military that at first he was concerned about rooming with a gay man but ended up becoming his friend, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported Friday.
Vossler was among four former military members who recounted their experiences with the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy at the traveling forum, sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign and Servicemembers United, to build support for repeal of the policy.
Jarrod Chlaplowski told of watching helplessly as seven of his eight Army buddies were investigated on suspicion of being gay.
Chlaplowski said six of them were forced out of the service.
Julianne Sohn said some of her fellow Marines figured out she was gay and weren't bothered by it.
Megan Scanlon told the forum that hiding her sexual orientation was like "slowly dying on the inside."
