From 1941 to 1945, more than 9,000 gay servicemen and women were discharged, and many were processed out in San Francisco.

Openly gay or bisexual servicemen and women, however, are reportedly often harassed and strongly "encouraged" to resign.

If Mr. Clinton backs off now, he will only invite a backlash against gay servicemen and his own enlightened effort to promote fairness.

Two gay servicemen who stood up against the Pentagon were Tech.

Andrea Kodys, a college student from Worcester, Mass., said she disagreed with the general on capital punishment and on gay servicemen but still believed "he's the kind of leader we need."

The campy publication, which was circulated privately among gay servicemen, eventually got him into trouble.

The U.S. military offloaded thousands of gay servicemen in San Francisco during World War II after they were discharged for their homosexuality.