THE HISTORY OF DON’T ASK DON’T TELL
People who have served in the American Armed Forces and are a part of the LGBT+ community have had a rough go of it, to put it lightly. Within the LGBT+ community, it wasn’t until very recently that notable changes have been made to allow more inclusivity into the American Armed Forces. Don’t ask, don’t tell (DADT) was probably started with good intentions, but the execution still allowed for discriminatory practices and the inability to live freely, even as a troop willing to sacrifice for their country. The policy missed the mark during its 17+ year run but did continue to raise the topic into the mainstream to pave the way for open acceptance of LGBT+ service members who can enjoy serving without discrimination today. Suggested read:5 Areas Where Gender Discrimination Is Still a Barrier in the Military
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Meaning
During the Clinton administration, DADT was the official military policy that would still allow for the banning of members who were openly a part of the LGBT+ community but would allow for closeted people to serve. The idea was that if troops didn’t bring up their sexual orientation or gender affiliations that did not align with the military’s views at the time, the military wouldn’t ask about these preferences or keep them from serving. It may have been aimed as a compromise or a way to sweep things under the rug, but at the heart of the DADT issue is that it did nothing to actually stop discrimination. Falling short of outright banning discriminatory practices in place of an “out of sight, out of mind” mindset allowed for continued prejudice against people who were looking to help defend freedoms they couldn’t even enjoy. In addition to not openly expressing their sexuality, LGBT+ service members were banned from speaking about same-sex relationships. Although the military was not supposed to conduct any investigations about such topics, if behaviors were exhibited by service members that went against this code, an investigation could be conducted, and action may be taken, including the service member being discharged from the military.
Court Challenges That Lead to Repeal
Don’t ask, don’t tell was rife with problems from the beginning, as are any policies that allow for discrimination and limit freedoms. So, it should be no surprise that don’t ask, don’t tell was struck down in two court challenges, helping to lead to it becoming repealed as a law. In the California case Log Cabin Republicans v. United States of America, the case would argue against the government’s claim that DADT was necessary for advancing governmental interest. This case showed the many flaws that DADT provided by violating free speech, due process, and open association on top of weakening America’s national security.
When Was Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repealed?
The repeal of don’t ask, don’t tell was brought about by President Barack Obama among others, including Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, to formally end the military policy on July 22, 2011, through it was finalized on September 20, 2011, 60 days later. Bill Clinton’s don’t ask, don’t tell policy didn’t fix all of the problems it could have because, even within its name, it never truly addressed the problems at hand. The problem throughout don’t ask, don’t tell’s history was never members of the LGBT+ community serving, but rather the discrimination these brave individuals faced in doing so. The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 has helped mend some of the rifts for LGBT+ service members, but there is still plenty of work to be done. Harassment and anti-transgender sentiments continue to persist with policies that hinder transgender individuals from serving in the military. Overall, there is still work to be done, but the Armed Forces today are more inclusive than they were for most of the hundreds of years before. More like this:5 LGBTQ+ Military Heroes You Need To Know About
Image: Jim Wilson/The New York Times