Navy’s first openly gay SEAL rebuilding his life in Bible Belt

[cbayer]

http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/navys-first-openly-gay-seal-rebuilding-his-life-in-bible-belt/

Originally published May 31, 2015 at 4:50 pm Updated May 31, 2015 at 7:20 pm


Ethan, 13, celebrates as his homemade experiment, a camp stove made from a beer can and rubbing alcohol, shoots out flames in the kitchen of his family’s Alabama house with his parents Brett Jones, left, and Jason White, right. Jones was the first openly gay Navy SEAL. (David Zucchino/TNS) Less

The first openly gay SEAL has built a new life here at age 41 with a family that has replaced the two families he lost — the one that raised him and the one he built with fellow SEALs.

By David Zucchino
Los Angeles Times (TNS)

TONEY, Ala. — For years, Brett Jones lived a double life. He was a Navy SEAL, a muscular M-60 gunner trained to kill and survive in enemy territory. He was also gay.

He held his secret close, so close that his SEAL teammates — his closest friends — never suspected. Jones was careful to introduce his male lover, a Navy sailor, as his roommate. He persuaded an attractive friend to pose as his girlfriend whenever the SEALs threw parties.

But one day in 2002, Jones accidentally outed himself. He left an “I love you” phone message for his lover — a stupid mistake, he realized the instant he hung up.

A sailor heard it and turned him in. The Navy launched an investigation designed to dishonorably discharge him.

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