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"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

By: TJ Nicolella

Enacted on December 21, 1993

Aimed to stop discrimination against closeted

homosexual/bisexual service members

Still barred openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons from joining military.

These restrictions were mandated

by federal law...

Those who...

"demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts"

were prohibited by this policy.

It was stated that their presence would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order, and discipline...

Since the enactment of the DADT policy, there have been over 13,500 discharges from the American military of gay, lesbian, or bisexual members.

DADT was originally introduced as a compromise to legal policy by President Bill Clinton.

Clinton promised all citizens the ability to join the military, regardless of sexual orientation...

However, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, signed in 1950, had deemed homosexuality incompatible with military service.

Congress attempted to override Clinton in 1993, attempting to attain a complete ban on homosexuals/bisexuals in the military...

On December 21, 1993 the Clinton Administration issued Defense Directive 1304.26, which stated that military applicants were not to be asked about their sexual orientation.

Homosexuals were seen as unfit for the military in many cases because of the behavior of other service members towards them...

Some cases were very severe, as was the case of Allen R. Schindler, who was murdered by his fellow shipmate and an accomplice.

Although this kind of behavior had been prohibited, harassment still continued in great extent.

Many, such as Democratic Senator Sam Nunn still fought to place a permanent ban on gay and bisexual service members/applicants.

Meanwhile, others such as Republican Senator Barry Goldwater argued against a complete ban and fought for a full repeal.

To date, the DADT policy had been upheld by four of the federal courts of appeal, including the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court case in 2006 (Rumsfeld v. Forum for Academic and Institutional Rights, Inc.) concluded by stating that the government could withhold funding from universities that refuse to give the military access to their resources, despite the university's policies against discrimination.

There were a total of 4 repeal attempts on the DADT policy. 3/4 were unsuccessful.

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act was a bill introduced to congress in 2005 by Representative Martin T. Meehan

The bill was constructed to change United States code and replace the DADT policy with a policy that did not discriminate against homosexuals and bisexuals.

The bill did not make it through congress, but was introduced twice more in 2007 and 2009 where it was shot down both times by congress.

However, in Barack Obama's 2008 campaign he planned to completely repeal the DADT act of 1993.

On October 10, 2009 Obama first talked about the repeal of DADT to the Human Rights Campaign.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Michael Mullen also supported Obama in his attempt to repeal DADT.

In March of 2010, Robert Gates announced new rules that made it impossible for any service member beside a Flag Officer to administer discharges. He also enacted stricter rules on the amount of evidence that must be used to discharge service members.

The Pentagon then released a report that assessed the issues coupled with a total repeal of the DADT policy.

It was stated that the risks were very low...

A process for stopping the policy and allowing anyone to join the military was enacted...

Rejoice was heard throughout the gay and bisexual community.

Many, such as Duncan D. Hunter attempted to delay the repeal act.

Obama sent the certification of repeal to congress on July 22, 2011... setting the end of the policy for September 20, 2011.

On September 20, rejoice was heard throughout the nation. Also, those discharged under the DADT policy were able to re-apply for service.

...and while many still believe that homosexuals should be barred from the military...

...A poll showed that nearly 77% of Americans believe that everyone should be able to join the military, regardless of sexual orientation.

The report

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