About Don't Ask/Don't Tell

Are you reading this for the first time? Any idea what we do here? Let me tell you.

Don't ask, don't tell is the common term for the policy about homosexuality in the U.S. military mandated by federal law Pub.L. 103-160 (10 U.S.C. § 654). Unless one of the exceptions from 10 U.S.C. § 654(b) applies, the policy prohibits anyone who "demonstrate(s) a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the armed forces of the United States, because "it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." The act prohibits any homosexual or bisexual person from disclosing his or her sexual orientation or from speaking about any homosexual relationships, including marriages or other familial attributes, while serving in the United States armed forces. The "don't ask" part of the policy indicates that superiors should not initiate investigation of a service member's orientation in the absence of disallowed behaviors, though mere suspicion of homosexual behavior can cause an investigation.

For the past few months this blog has been looking at DADT and the reasons why it should be repealed. We have urged action on the part of you our readers. We have mentioned numerous other resources. We have commented on specific cases of gays in the military. We hope you will continue reading here and tell your friends. Tell us too, especially if you have comments or suggestions, or even corrections.

Speaking of corrections, as I was talking about media, I neglected to mention much about the motion picture I mentioned, and someone asked me about one of them, so here is a bit more information: "Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story" is the true story of a decorated officer's legal challenge to her involuntary discharge when she admitted she was a lesbian. Lead actress Glen Close and supporting actress Judy Davis both won Emmy Awards for their performances in the made for TV movie and Allison Cross won an Emmy for outstanding individual achievement in writing for a miniseries or a special. I saw it at the time and have seen it since, and find it outstanding. Check it out!

Check us out every day too and help put an end to injustice. End DADT!