Dont Ask Dont Tell

DON’T ASK , DON’T TELL

Homosexuality in the

United States Military

by

Mary Zancocchio

Homosexuality in the Military

• Military organizations around the world have various policies regarding the enlistment of lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals.

• The policies vary from banning these individuals to welcoming them without restriction.

Foreign Policies

• Out of 26 countries comprising NATO, over 20 allow homosexual and bisexual people to join the military.

• China does not allow homosexuals to serve in the military.

• Russia permits gay men to serve only during wartime.

Policies Around the World

Orange = ambiguous policies on homosexuality in military

Blue = no policy against homosexuality in military

Red = homosexuality banned in military

United States Policy

• The United States has a “don’t ask, don’t tell policy.

• While not banned, being a homosexual in the military subjects the individual to secrecy; he / she faces discharge if openly homosexual.


• This policy was proposed by President Clinton , who proposed that homosexuals should be allowed in the military only if they kept their sexuality a secret.


• In 1999, 1034 members of the U.S. military were discharged for being homosexual, a 73% increase from prior to the policy.

WHY ?

• The don’t ask, don’t tell policy was created because of a belief that open homosexuality in the military endanger the teamwork, organization and discipline necessary for military efficiency and safety.

• There are no studies that prove any detrimental effect from allowing homosexuals to serve in the military.

Historical Background

• The ancient Greeks believed that homosexuality among soldiers was beneficial, helping to create strong bonds and increase bravery.

Gender

• There is no differentiation between homosexual males or homosexual females in the United States military; both must be kept secret.

Religious Influences

• There are opposing viewpoints on the issue of allowing homosexuals to serve in the U.S. military.

• While some conservative religious groups openly oppose homosexuality in the military, others have become advocates of homosexuals in the military.

Political / Legal Influences

• As a result of colleges enforcing regulations that ban discrimination against homosexuals on campuses, some schools have banned military recruitment because of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.


• In response to colleges banning recruiters because of this policy, laws have been passed that take away federal funding from colleges that ban military recruitment.


• In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that the Solomon Amendment , the law allowing this withholding of funding, was not unconstitutional.

Recent Changes

• The 2008 Democratic National Platform supports the inclusion of homosexuals in the military.

• Human rights groups such as the ACLU are working for the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law passed in 1993.

References

Homosexuals in the military: where do candidates stand? Center for Military Readiness [online] August 2008. Available from http://cmrlink.org/printfriendly.asp?docID=339

Gays in the U.S. military. Religious Tolerance.Org [online] November 2008. Available from www.religioustolerance.org/hom_mili.htm

Sexual orientation and military service. Wikipedia [online] November2008. Available from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation_and_military_service

References

Gays in the military. International Debate Education Association [online] November 2000. Available from

http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=103

Nasaw, D., 2008. Obama wants progressive plan for homosexuals in the military. Guardian.com.uk [online] April 2008. Available from

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/10/barackobama.uselections2008

Spiritual

Dont Ask Dont Tell