Local Actress to Play Controversial Character on ABC

Online, February 23, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Washington native, Alanda Spence takes on a controversial role depicting a lesbian soldier on the ABC News Primetime show "What Would You Do?" Set to air February 25, 2011, 9pm EST.

In an episode inspired by the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell this hit series uses hidden cameras to capture both positive and negative behavior of bystanders toward the ethical dilemma involving Spence's character.

Spence, raised in Auburn, Washington, owns the stoic military disposition yet harnesses the vulnerability of homosexuality. "I didn't have to go far for research," jokes the actress, "I just called home." Spence called her father, a homosexual man and retired military officer.

From the age of six, Spence grew up marching in Pride Parades on Seattle's Capital Hill but also shopping at the McChord Air Force Base Exchange. As a young girl, she never knew the two worlds delicately balanced by her father, were not suppose to collide. "I am happy that [the repeal] will take away the official discrimination against homosexuals serving in the military. But it doesn't alleviate the unofficial discrimination," Spence said during an on-camera interview.

Always eager to support the LGBT community, Spence jumped at the opportunity to take on this role despite positioning herself for public scrutiny. "If homosexuals feel so moved as to fight for their country, their families, and our freedom - we should all be so lucky," Spence said to the show's host John Quiñones. Tune in Friday February 25, 2011 at 9pm EST to see Alanda Spence showing her hometown just what she can do.

For more about this episode visit: http://abcnews.go.com/whatwouldyoudo.