Bullying our man in Baghdad: gay journalist Jeffrey Kofman is the target of an alleged smear campaign after reporting on disgruntled U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

After ABC News reporter Jeffrey Kofman contributed to a story about the sinking morale among American service member's in Iraq, the openly gay correspondent found himself the target of an alleged smear campaign. His report, which quoted U.S. soldiers criticizing Army leadership (one called for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld) reportedly ruffled some feathers in the White House. And their response, Kofman and others claimed, was to shoot the messenger--namely, him.

The flap started when Internet gossip baron Matt Drudge posted the headline, "ABC News Reporter Who Filed Troop Complaint Story Is Canadian," along with a link to an, Advocate interview with Kofman published in the December 4, 2001, issue. Drudge told The Washington Post that he had received a call from a source in the White House tipping him off to the fact that Kofman was gay and Canadian. White House officials denied making the call.

Interviewed via E-mail from Baghdad, where he is still reporting for ABC, Kofman reflected on the incident.--Matthew Hays

Were you surprised by the suggestion that the White House was pointing out to the press that you are gay and Canadian?

I think you have to be realistic when you have a job in the public eye like this. I wouldn't be doing the job well if I didn't occasionally provoke [a response]. But, yes [tongue in cheek], I confess I have worked hard to conceal my Canadian origins; it's something my parents and I just don't talk about.

Which do you think your right-wing critics find more suspect: your being gay or your being Canadian?

You'd have to ask them. But let's be fair here. The so-called right is no more a single monolith than the gay community is.

Have there been any repercussions from your employer, ABC News?

ABC's response has been extraordinary. They were proud of the original story, and management has supported me 100% ever since. It's a place truly committed to good journalism while at the same time committed to its employees. Those aren't hollow words. I've seen proof of both.

Did the White House offer any kind of apology or explanation?

A White House spokesman told The Washington Post that the incident was "totally inappropriate if true." I'm prepared to accept the comment at face value. I've moved on. I'm in Baghdad covering the story of a country that has endured 25 years of tyranny and the story of the U.S. trying to bring an end to the war while its soldiers are killed and wounded daily. It's very easy to keep things in perspective from here.

Have you ever regretted granting an interview to The Advocate and coming out so publicly?

Not for a second. In my work I am constantly asking people to be honest and candid. I didn't ask The Advocate to do that original story; they asked me. But when I was approached it seemed incumbent on me to be honest and candid. This may send a chill among young gays and lesbians working in the media.

What advice would you give to them?

Just keep doing the work you believe, in and keep your sense of humour ... er, humor. There I go again, exposing my Canadian origins.