Discrimination of Homosexuals Joining the Military
KRISTEN EHRLICH
UNIT 2 PROJECT
DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL POLICY
This paper is going to focus on discrimination towards homosexuals joining the military. There have been many major social changes in U.S. military history as well as hurdles it has overcome. Discrimination due to sexual orientation has been and continues to be a major issue within the criminal justice system as well as within the United States as a whole. On July 19, 1993 then President Bill Clinton compromised and issued the “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t pursue” policy, also known as DADT. The Don’t ask, Don’t Tell policy is a law mandating the discharge of openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual service members (About "Don 't Ask, Don 't Tell", 2010). After the policy was issued the “Don’t Purse” part was eventually dropped off because it appeared to prevent efforts to enforce the regulations and laws of the policy (Burelli, 1996). Under this policy recruiters are not permitted to ask prospective enlistees about their sexual orientation, and commanders are forbidden to pursue investigation of homosexual conduct in the absence of compelling evidence and individuals are required to keep their homosexuality to themselves or consequences will be enforced and he or she will be discharged if in the service or will be denied enlistment if seeking to join the service. The main objectives for this policy are to protect the privacy of gay and lesbian soldiers as well as preserving military readiness. It has actually done the opposite by prohibiting the homosexual individuals from pursuing relationships or sexual acts no matter how discreet they are, public or private affection is not allowed. According to an article that I was reading, “homosexuality presents an unacceptable risk to morale, cohesion and discipline (Burelli, 1996).” A service member may also be separated or discharged if he or she states or implies in any way that he or she is homosexual or bisexual. Making any type of statement
UNIT 2 PROJECT
DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL POLICY
This paper is going to focus on discrimination towards homosexuals joining the military. There have been many major social changes in U.S. military history as well as hurdles it has overcome. Discrimination due to sexual orientation has been and continues to be a major issue within the criminal justice system as well as within the United States as a whole. On July 19, 1993 then President Bill Clinton compromised and issued the “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t pursue” policy, also known as DADT. The Don’t ask, Don’t Tell policy is a law mandating the discharge of openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual service members (About "Don 't Ask, Don 't Tell", 2010). After the policy was issued the “Don’t Purse” part was eventually dropped off because it appeared to prevent efforts to enforce the regulations and laws of the policy (Burelli, 1996). Under this policy recruiters are not permitted to ask prospective enlistees about their sexual orientation, and commanders are forbidden to pursue investigation of homosexual conduct in the absence of compelling evidence and individuals are required to keep their homosexuality to themselves or consequences will be enforced and he or she will be discharged if in the service or will be denied enlistment if seeking to join the service. The main objectives for this policy are to protect the privacy of gay and lesbian soldiers as well as preserving military readiness. It has actually done the opposite by prohibiting the homosexual individuals from pursuing relationships or sexual acts no matter how discreet they are, public or private affection is not allowed. According to an article that I was reading, “homosexuality presents an unacceptable risk to morale, cohesion and discipline (Burelli, 1996).” A service member may also be separated or discharged if he or she states or implies in any way that he or she is homosexual or bisexual. Making any type of statement
References: About "Don 't Ask, Don 't Tell". (2010). Retrieved July 19, 2010, from Service Members Legal Defense Network: http://www.sldn.org/pages/about-dadt Burelli, D. F. (1996, 12 12). 96029: Homosexuals and U.S. Military Policy: Current Issues. Retrieved July 19, 2010, from CRS ISSUE BRIEF: http://www.fas.org/man/crs/96-029.htm Herszenhorn, D. M., & Hulse, C. (2010, May 27). House Votes to Allow "Don 't Ask, Don 't Tell" Repeal. Retrieved July 20, 2010, from The New York Times : Politics: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/politics/28tell.html Hughes, B. (2000, April 26). Should Homosexuals Serve Openly in the Military? Retrieved July 19, 2010, from SpeakOut.com: http://www.speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1222b-1.html Secretary, O. o. (2010, May 27). Statement by the President on Votes to Repeal "Don 't Ask, Don 't Tell". Retrieved July 20, 2010, from The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/statement-president-votes-repeal-don-t-ask-don-t-tell