Military: Dont Ask Dont Tell (DADT)

Read how to repeal the Dont Ask Dont Tell (DADT) policy and end military discrimination and allow lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders, and gays in the military to serve openly.

   

STATUS: IT IS TIME TO LIFT BAN ON GAYS IN THE MILITARY

The difference between the Democratic and the Republican party on the issue of military discrimination is stark: all of the Republican presidential candidates oppose lifting the ban on gays serving openly in the military, while all of the Democratic candidates support lifting it.

The 2004 platform of the Democratic Party states (page 37): "We are committed to equal treatment of all service members and believe all patriotic Americans should be allowed to serve our country without discrimination, persecution, or violence."

INVITED ARTICLES ON GAYS IN THE MILITARY AND DONT ASK DONT TELL

> Dr. Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center, discusses when the Dont Ask Dont Tell policy will be repealed.

Despite all of this talk, here is the reality:

• The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2007 was introduced in the House (H.R. 1246) on February 28, 2007
• No hearings have been held on this important legislation
• No companion bill has been introduced yet in the Senate, despite that five of the Democratic presidential candidates are senators who say they support lifting the ban

LIFT BAN ON GAYS IN THE MILITARY: SAFE FOR LEGISLATORS

Polls consistently show that about two thirds of the American public support lifting the ban. Polls show majority support in all age groups, in both genders, an in both political parties.

 

LIFT BAN ON GAYS IN THE MILITARY: FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE

The Pentagon has spent more than $364 million to implement the ban in the first ten years of its existence (according to a Blue Ribbon Commission sponsored by the University of California, February 2006).

 

LIFT BAN ON GAYS IN THE MILITARY: IMPROVE NATIONAL SECURITY

Lifting the ban ensures that Arabic linguists and other critical specialists are not fired for being gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Lifting the ban protects 65,000 service members from being fired by the largest employer in the country for being lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

 

THREE ACTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO END MILITARY DISCRIMINATION FOR LGBT SERVICEMEMBERS

1. Use a dual approach: litigation and legislation (passing H.R. 1246)

2. Depenalize sodomy as rules by the US Supreme Court in Lawrence v Texas by revoking article 125 of the Military Code

3. Amend military discrimination on medical and uniform regulations that discriminate transgender military servicemembers.

 

 

WHO TO SUPPORT AND FUND

• Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)
  Since its founding in 1993, SLDN has been the leading organization working to allow LGBTQ patriots to serve openly in the US military. In addition, SLDN provides direct legal services to members of the armed forces affected by Dont Ask, Dont Tell, including transgender military servicemembers.


• Palm Center - Formerly the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military (CSSMM).
  The Palm Center uses rigorous social science to study the flawed rationale behind Dont Ask, Dont Tell and then aggressively distributes its research to military audiences during annual visits to West Point, the Army War College, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy and elsewhere.

 

 

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