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| Michael Jason Tiner was one of the first contestants eliminated on Bravo’s ‘Boy Meets Boy’ dating show. The appearance cost him a job as a teacher at the Navy’s Submarine Learning Center. |
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HOME > NEWS > NATIONAL NEWS
By: BILL ROUNDY
COMMENTS |
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SAN DIEGO — The television gay dating game “Boy Meets Boy” may
be counting on a dramatic conclusion in next week’s final episode, but
one of its most intriguing developments already took place, off-camera.
One contestant, a gay combat systems instructor for the Navy, was discharged
from the military for violating the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
“I was fully aware of what would happen,” Michael Jason Tiner
said in an interview from his San Diego home. Tiner was identified on the show
by his middle name Jason. “I was ready for it.”
The show features 15 men competing for the heart of James, the “leading
man,” as well as a trip with him to New Zealand. But seven of the contestants
are straight men who will win a cash prize if James chooses them, though he
doesn’t know their sexual orientation.
There are still three suitors remaining; two of them are gay and one is straight.
Many viewers assumed that Tiner, as an active member of the military, must
be one of the straight contestants. But when the Southern-accented sailor was
eliminated during the first episode, his gay identity was revealed.
The results were predictable: The first episode aired July 29, and Tiner’s
discharge from the Navy became effective Aug. 19.
Tiner, 26, was with the military for eight years and taught at the Navy’s
Submarine Learning Center in San Diego. He was open about his sexual orientation
to family members, but said that coming out on national TV was just a matter
of fairness.
“The reason I did the show is that I felt if anyone had a right to go
on the show, then I did,” Tiner said. “I should have all the rights
that the other 14 guys have. I was comfortable enough with who I am and with
my sexuality that I was ready to face the consequences.”
According to Lt. Commander Gary Kirchner of the Navy Information Office, another
sailor recognized Tiner on a commercial for “Boy Meets Boy” several
days before the first episode aired.
Shortly thereafter, Tiner “informed his command that he was participating
in the show and that he was a homosexual,” Kirchner said. The administrative
process to remove him from the Navy for violating the “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell” policy began immediately.
Kirchner said Tiner cooperated with the process and received an honorable
discharge.
Steve Ralls, director of communications for the Servicemembers Legal Defense
Network, a group that advocates for gay members of the military, said that
the discharge was predictable but regrettable.
“I think it’s another example of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell’ policy costing the military a valuable service member,” Ralls
said. “Had this been a heterosexual service member on a heterosexual
dating show, nothing would have happened. It clearly shows the discrimination
faced by gay and lesbian service members every day.”
Some critics criticize “Boy Meets Boy,” which airs on NBC sibling
Bravo, for being mean-spirited by tricking its leading man into believing all
of his suitors are gay.
But Tiner said that there was no deception in his case, and that producers
treated him well.
“They all knew, and I told them what the consequences would be,” Tiner
said. “They said, ‘Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure?’ And
I was.”
Tiner was recruited for the show at a gay bar. After an interview, he also
went through a medical, personality and IQ test. Contestants also spoke with
a psychiatrist.
“I’m sure that they wanted to make sure everyone was mentally
stable, so when they found out there were straight people there nobody went
postal on them,” Tiner said.
Now that he’s been discharged, Tiner plans to work at a local gym and
attend college full-time.
“It was a great experience,” Tiner said. “I met some great,
great people, and we still keep in touch. … I gained a couple of really
great friends from the show. And it was fun.”
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