Darren Manzella

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. Manzella served in Iraq and Kuwait, and was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas.

Early life Manzella grew up on his parents' grape farm in Portland, Chautauqua County, New York, where he attended Brocton Central School.

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 first openly gay service member on active duty to speak to the press from a war zone. The DADT policy was repealed in 2011.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. 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.