Military: Dont Ask Dont Tell (DADT)

Read how to repeal the Dont Ask Dont Tell policy (DADT), 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 2008 platform of the Democratic Party states: "We support the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and the implementation of policies to allow qualified men and women to serve openly regardless of sexual orientation." The 2004 platform also asked (in weaker terms) the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

President Obama and VP Biden also support the repeal of this policy.

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

> Dr. Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center, discusses how his center helps the public understand why the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy is harmful and misguided > Also, Dr. Aaron Belkin, Director of the Palm Center, discusses when the Dont Ask Dont Tell policy will be repealed (exclusively for Registered Members)

Here is the current status:

• The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009 was introduced in the House (H.R. 1283) on March 3, 2009 by Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA)
• No companion bill was introduced in the Senate.
• Hearings were held in Congress in July 2008 for the bill introduced in the prior session of Congress.
• Check here what is missing on the proposed legislation for providing full equality.

LIFT BAN ON GAYS IN THE MILITARY: AS RECOMMENDED BY SENIOR OFFICERS

Read the report (pdf file) of The Generals/Flag Officers Study Group recommending repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Page 2 contains 10 findings and 4 recommendations which are very worthwhile reading.

 

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 ruled by the US Supreme Court in Lawrence v Texas by revoking article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice

3. Amend military medical and uniform regulations that discriminate transgender servicemember

And then we need to reinstate servicemembers discharged under the policy. 

   

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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