Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass

First implemented in 1993, because of President Clinton, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass" policy was created. This policy was created to protect gay people in the military. Before the policy was created, every service member had to reveal their sexual orientation and if they were gay, lesbian, or bisexual they could not join or they were dishonorably discharged from the military. Gay people were not allowed to be in the military because "homosexuality is incompatible with military service", which was the previous policy of the military.

Now, the military has a policy that says that members must not speak about their sexual orientation if they happen to be homosexual or bisexual, cannot have any sexual contact with a member of the same sex, and cannot marry a person of the same sex. If the service members violate any of these rules, they can be investigated and discharged. This policy is not only for members, but also for commanders. The commanders are not to ask members if they are homosexual and cannot harass them because of that. With the policy in effect, many discharged members still consist of those discharged due to sexual orientation. The policy has done nothing but increased these statistics.

Within the policy, there isn't supposed to be any asking, harassing, or pursuing of gay people, but that happens all of the time. A Defense Department survey taken in 2000 showed that 80% of service members heard jokes, derogatory names, offensive language, and remarks towards gay people. All of this happens while the commanders do nothing. Sometimes they are even the ones to do it. When members try to report this kind of behavior, they are discouraged by the fact that they could be questioned and even discharged.

I think that the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy would be a good idea if both sides abided by it. What I mean by this, is that if all of the conditions of the policy were followed, which includes not asking, not telling, not pursuing, and not harassing about sexual orientation, then the policy would actually work. I think that gay people should have the right to be in the military and serve their country, just as anyone else. When it comes to defending America all people should be able to do what they feel is right, and that is fighting for their country.

http://www.hrc.org/Content/NavigationMenu/HRC/Get_Informed/Issues/Military2/Fact_Sheets_Dont_Ask_Dont_Tell/Dont_Ask,_Dont_Tell_Fact_Sheet.htm

http://carcino.gen.nz/images/index.php/0b52135f/0b6bb921