Foundation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

On January 29, 1993, President Bill Clinton directed Secretary of Defense, Les Aspin, to submit a draft executive order "ending discrimination on basis of sexual orientation in determining who may serve." On July 19, 1993, Secretary Aspin announced a new policy for gays in the military, stating that "sexual orientation is considered a personal and private matterKand is not a bar to service entry or continued service unless manifested by homosexual conduct." The DoD policy was enacted on November 30, 1993 by Congress ordering the Secretary of Defense to revise the department of defense regulations. On February 28, 1994, after extensive hearings in Congress, the Department of defense instituted its current policy on homosexual conduct in the military. The DoD policy provides that engaging in one or more of the following acts shall be cause of removal from the military:

1. If the member is found to have engaged, attempted to engage, or solicited another to engage in homosexual acts;

2. If the member has stated that he or she is a homosexual or bisexual or words to that effect; a

The general publics support for the policy is growing. Television has made a huge impact on the acceptance of homosexual lifestyles because it actually educates the public while it entertains. The more education on gay rights means more acceptance and understanding on gay issues. But no matter how much education Americans receive, there will always be many people who oppose this policy and lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy

There are many groups, including the modern liberals, who support the DoD policy as well as gay service members. Some interest groups include The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), National Organization for Women (NOW), Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The positive outcome is not only from the policy, but also from federal court and military commands with strong leadership. In some cases where courts have allowed lesbian and gay service members to serve openly, there have not been any problems. After court cases have been won, service members have received the utmost respect and support. There is only a handful that have been serving openly and this policy has had a good impact on their unit's good order, discipline and moral.

„h Second, "plea bargains" should not be used unless the conduct of the service member would warrant criminal prosecution.

In the other direction, there are opposing groups too, which include the modern conservatives and various religious groups. The negative outcome comes from the implementation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the field. Through a lack of training and willful disregard of this policy, many ¥higher ups' continue to ask, witch hunt, and harass suspected homosexuals. There have been widespread "witch hunts" against suspected homosexuals and there have been numerous other abuses in the course of investigations. The discharge rate for homosexuals has not decrease

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