Don't Ask Don't Tell

The United States makes much of its branding. Land of the brave, home of the free. But not if you happen to be gay, and are willing to be brave enough to protect the freedom of which so much is made. Moves are afoot to remove the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' compromise introduced to the armed forces by President Clinton -- something that is long overdue.


Ian Johnson, Out Now
February 13, 2008

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TOPICS: US military. Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Discrimination. Equal rights. Lesbian and gay service personnel. Military service. Legal discrimination. US gay market. Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

Gay Market News has written before about the discrimination that is written into the service of all US military personnel under the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' doctrine -- an official US policy designed to force US gay and lesbian service members to remain in the closet or lose their jobs.

As many countries in the world move to a more socially progressive stance on workplace issues related to equal treatment for lesbians and gay men, this position by the US government looks increasingly intolerant -- and untenable. Especially to those outside looking in at this.

Jurisdictions elsewhere have long ago realized that discriminating against gay men and lesbians in society is unacceptable, a fact that renders 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' increasingly antiquated as a policy.

There is an important lobby and support organization in the US that has for years aimed to protect the interests of lesbian and gay service personnel in the face of such discrimination.

The SLDN Servicemembers Legal Defense Network works hard to lift the 'Dont Ask Don't Tell' ban on gays in the military, and protect the interests of those impacted by its enforcement.

The idea that a gay or lesbian military member is somehow a threat to overall force morale or stability has not been borne out at all by the experiences of other Western military forces -- which removed discrimination against gay and lesbian members of their forces years ago.

Last month 'Dont Ask Dont Tell' -- DADT -- marked fifteen years of officially sanctioned, US entrenched discrimination, since its 1993 introduction by President Bill Clinton; as a stop-gap political compromise -- one which has depressingly lasted as a discriminatory American employment policy ever since.

According to the SLDN, two LGBT members of the US military lose their job each day as the US Pentagon enforces this mandated discrimination.

The SLDN is hosting a fundraising dinner to further the cause they stand for next month in Washington DC.

Tipper Gore is speaking and this important and worthwhile cause is one we urge all to support through attending, sponsoring or donating.

Such blatant discrimination has no place in any country that considers itself to be truly 'free'.

It's past time America moved to end this inequity.

SLDN's 16th National Dinner & Silent Auction is on Saturday, March 8, 2008.
6:30 pm - 10:30 pm at the National Building Museum, 401 F St NW, Washington DC

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