Leading A Triple Life - former gay military officer apparently also starred in pornographic films - includes related article on effect of story on gay military personnel

The tension hanging over gay service members from "don't ask, don't tell" may lead them to take risks they otherwise would not. Not only do they have to hide their homosexuality on duty; they also must positively affirm that they are straight--by dating members of the opposite sex, for example. Given the chance to break out, they may choose to do so, no matter how unwisely.

"A lot of people are attracted into the service ... because they're insecure about their masculinity," says Hardesty. "And guys with potentially ambisexual or bisexual tendencies are drawn to the Marine Corps ... far more so than to the Army or even the Navy. Secondly, there's a degree of exhibitionism involved. These are guys who train hard, work out, and are very vain--the Marine uniform is a peacock's uniform. The kind of guy who gets into this is acutely aware of his good looks and loves to be admired, so he's a natural for that kind of thing."

Zeeland agrees. "I think men who are attracted to the Marine Corps are interested in living up to the image of that poster marine. Having built themselves up, they're eager to ... have an audience, especially of other men."

Whether the revelation of Merritt's video background will have broader ramifications is unclear. However, supporters of gay service members insist that it should not.

"Certainly it's not helpful" to the cause of gays in the military, says Nancy Russell, vice president of the Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Veterans of America. "[But] how much damage it will do is really questionable. Most military personnel do not get involved in pornography, so he's not representative of most gays and lesbians who serve in the military.... He's certainly not reflective of most service members, gay or straight, who serve their country with distinction."

RELATED ARTICLE: BEYOND THE SCANDAL

Former Soldier of the Year Zuniga says Merritt's story could hurt but won't derail the cause of gays in the 'military

Rich Merritt, a marine with more than a decade of distinguished service, proudly came out of the military closet in the January 19 issue of The Advocate, sans the initial "R." he was forced to use when The New York Times Magazine featured him in a June 28 cover stow about gay marines. "Who is 'R.'?" was the lingering question throughout the summer. With revelations (published exclusively in this issue of The Advocate) that Merritt allegedly filmed a series of all-male porn videos while on active duty, the $64 question now is: How will this revelation affect the cause of gays in the military?

This disclosure will no doubt start tongues wagging. However, the truth about the discrimination gay service members endure, about the witch-hunts, about the bashings of suspected gays, and about the hundreds of individuals who have been drummed out under "don't ask, don't tell" is as true today as it was before this shocking revelation.

In going public Merritt told a not too uncommon story about a closeted homosexual adhering to "don't ask, don't tell" by negotiating mine-fields, securely hiding his sexual identity behind a government-required lie. As many gay veterans have done before him, he exposed the "just be quiet and don't wave it in our faces" policy meant to pander to America's general discomfort in dealing with homosexuality. Merritt's actions--while inappropriate for a service member of any sexual orientation and in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice--negate neither his distinguished military career nor that of countless other gay service members who have served their country with distinction. Nor does this revelation make more palatable President Clinton's untenable, politically expedient "don't ask, don't tell" policy.