Background Information
History"Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass" is a compromise policy in place since 1993. Before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" the official stance of the armed services was that homosexuality was incompatible with military service. As a matter of policy, new recruits were asked regarding their sexual orientation and those who were suspected of being gay were barred from service or court martialed.
As part of his campaign pledge, presidential candidate Bill Clinton promised to eliminate discrimination against gays and lesbians in the military. The effort, however, encountered stiff opposition, and as a compromise the current policy was put in place.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" suggests that if Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, andTransgender (BGLT) military personnel keep their sexual orientation a secret, the military will not investigate. In practice, however, this compromise has not resulted in less harassment and persecution of BGLT service members. While they are barred from revealing their sexual orientation, investigations and discharges continue.
For more background information on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" see the fact sheet from the Human Rights Campaign on this issue.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
