Don't Ask; Don't Tell and Why It should be repealed
In 1993 President William Clinton signed into law a policy that effectively bans gay, lesbian, and bisexual service in the military. This policy, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), gave the armed forces the right to discharge a soldier based on their sexual preferences. There are two main parts to the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. In the Don’t Ask section of the policy, a commander is not allowed to ask, and service members are not required to disclose their sexual orientation. The other part, Don’t Tell, claims a basis for discharge exists if "the member has said that he or she is a homosexual or bisexual, or made some other statement that indicates a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts." This act is seen as unconstitutional by many Americans and is currently hurting our military when we need it the most. The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy strips many rights away from gay, lesbian, and bisexual soldiers that are serving. A gay soldier must lie and hide his or her true identity on a daily basis. Gay service members who live openly and share information about their spouses, significant others, or dating life risk investigation and involuntary expulsion. Under DADT, any statement that one is gay, to anyone, at any time, before or after enlistment, can be reason for investigation and discharge. Your life is a constant liability to your career when you are gay in the military. There is no way any other form of discrimination would be considered acceptable within the armed forces. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell makes it impossible for a homosexual to live the life they chose, even though they are willing to give their life protecting their country. The problems encountered are endless. How does a young gay soldier live with his partner when he is forced to live in the barracks because the Army does not recognize his marriage? How can a soldier receive emergency leave for a spouse who does not exist, according to the Army? How is it possible to incorporate your