The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy dictating the conditions under which homosexuals must follow to serve in the US Military is currently under heated debate and has cause quite a ruckus in Washington. According to About.com, the military previously classified homosexuality as a mental defect and used it to bar homosexuals from serving in any branch of the US Armed Forces. In 1982, the Department of Defense released a DOD directive stating that “homosexuality was incompatible with military service” but by the end of the decade, as personnel decreased and gays and lesbians became more outspoken and angry about their discharge, the military was less reluctant to let gays serve. By the end of 1993, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue” policy was put in place and enlisted men were not to be asked about their sexual preference.
As a general fact, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is supported by conservative Republicans and opposed by liberal Democrats. When democratic President Bill Clinton first proposed this policy, it was actually meant to help gays and lesbians because at the time, there was a strict “No homosexuals allowed” policy in the Armed Forces. Now that times have changed, Democrats view this as a stab at the equal rights given to all people under the law. It is now Republicans who want to keep it and the democratic politicians wish to repeal it.
The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy has become a hot topic of discussion between those running for Congress this year. According to the Huffington Post, many are worried because “If Democrats lose seats in the upcoming congressional elections this fall, as many expect, repealing the ban could prove even more difficult – if not impossible – next year.” But even though we might see a major obstacle next year in terms of getting this ban lifted, it is predicted that the ban will be lifted and that it’s only a matter of time.
