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Openly gay marine Stephen Funk comes out as the first conscientious objector of the U.S. war with Iraq as of May 13, 2003. When his Marine reserve unit was called to active duty in February, 21-year-old Funk did not report. But on April 1, 2003 after having been AWOL for 47 days, Funk turned himself in, in San Jose, California. In his hands he carried papers declaring himself a conscientious objector of the war. In a surprising move of leniency, Funk was not arrested, though at press time the Marines were deciding to punish him. He instead must report to San Jose in California while his application is processed. If convicted as a deserter, he could face up to two years in military prison.