History of US military
policies, and other topics

"... a decent regard for the legitimate privacy and associational rights of all service members." ₃ " 'Don't Tell,' while prohibiting public statements of sexual orientation to the military, allows for 'personal and private' communications between gay service members and their families, friends and others. It protects service members' freedom of association with friends and extracurricular organizations. The policy further allows for [confidential] disclosure of sexual orientation by gay service members to defense attorneys, chaplains, security clearance personnel and, in limited circumstances, doctors who are treating patients for HIV." ₄

However, gays, lesbians and bisexuals are effectively cut off from counseling and other mental health services because physicians, psychologists and others are not required to keep confidential any conversations during therapy. Some therapists and doctors routinely report any non-heterosexuals that they find to their commanding officers for investigation. Many gays and lesbians who are the victims of harassment or assault often dare not report the incidents out of fear of being ejected from the military. This frequently makes them sitting ducks for homophobes who enjoy engaging in gay bashing.
 

	968 incidences of harassment of gays and lesbians in the armed forces reported to them by individual servicemen and women 1999.
	The 1999 events ranged in severity from taunts and physical assaults to the murder of Pfc. Barry Winchell at Ft. Campbell, KY.
	This represents a 142% increase over 1998 and about a 500% increase over 1997. It is not known whether these data are related to an actual increase in harassment or whether the increase can be attributed to the SLDN having a higher profile.
	Incidents remained fairly constant during 1999, with a slight increase noted after the murder.
	They reported that: "Witch hunts, physical abuse by investigators, and criminal prosecutions of lesbian, gay and bisexual service members have all subsided."
	Discharges for homosexuality dropped 10 percent from 1998, after several years of steady increases.
	There were 1,034 discharges in 1999 related to homosexuality -- a 73 percent increase from before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy was announced by President Clinton.
	Discharges are on the rise for women. Although only 14% of the armed force personnel are women, lesbians accounted for 31% of the sexual orientation based discharges in 1999 -- the highest percentage in at least two decades.
	The U.S. Air Force continues to lead all services in gay discharges.
	The SLDN rated the Army's training course against homophobia as the most effective in the forces. 2

On the day that the SLDN report was released, the Pentagon announced that it was considering changing a policy that would allow gay service members to be granted confidentiality when they discuss matters with a doctor, psychologist, or other health professional. Without confidentiality during therapy, gays and lesbians are largely cut off from counseling within the armed forces. Yet, of all groups within the military, homosexuals may well be the one most in need of a safety valve. The current policy is ambiguous: health care workers are neither required to remain silent about a client's sexual orientation, nor are they required to report gays and lesbians. Michelle Benecke, Executive Director of SLDN responded:

"That's excellent! That is really big news. That is the first time they have ever given a centimeter on that...it's a very serious issue to our clients...Medical- and mental-health people provide a real relief valve for service members in trouble. There are people who've been driven to suicide because there is no safe place for them to go with this secret."

"There are many challenges facing our nation now and the president-elect is focused first and foremost on jump-starting this economy. So not everything will get done in the beginning but he's committed to following through with ending the policy against being openly gay in the military." ₁₆

"We've tried the policy. I don't think it works. And we've spent a lot of money enforcing it. People who've signed up to serve our country, we should be thanking them."

Four Republican representatives -- including conservatives Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland -- joined with 81 Democrats as co-sponsors. Gilchrest used to be in favor of the ban, but changed his mind because of respect for gay Marines with whom he served in Vietnam. Another influence is his brother, who is gay. He feels that the mood in Congress is shifting. He said:

"When this issue comes up, members who believe that gays shouldn't be in the military are now more hesitant to voice their opinion. Many of us who feel the other way have come out of the closet, so to speak. A year ago, I would have been uncomfortable expressing my feelings."  _9,10

"The military discharged 653 men and women in 2004 under the gay ban, the second lowest total since 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was implemented. The Pentagon discharges include at least 41 healthcare professionals, 30 sonar and radar specialists, 20 combat engineers, 17 law enforcement agents, 12 security guards and 7 biological and chemical warfare specialists who were fired because of sexual orientation. At least 9 language specialists were also discharged. The SLDN analysis also reveals that, based on other data obtained from different sources, less than one-quarter of all 2004 discharges under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' were from units deployed in support of war operations, suggesting the services are far less likely to discharge gays and lesbians serving on the frontlines. Gay discharges have declined by 47% since September 11, 2001."

SLDN Executive Director, C. Dixon Osburn, said:

"The military continues to sacrifice national security and military readiness in favor of simple prejudice. Americans do not care if the helicopter pilot rescuing a wounded soldier or the medic treating that soldier is gay." _8,10

"I thought I'd get lots of hate mail, and my colleagues would walk on the other side of the hall ? but there's been none of that.....They can be gay, but they can't practice being gay. They can be here, but they can't tell you who they are ? it seemed pretty confusing to me."

His article said in part:

"Despite our government's claim of liberty for all, we leave homosexuals out. If the American military sees and is allowed to see itself as the protector of some but not all Americans, democracy fails." ₁₀

"... undermines the military's ability to fulfill its primary mission of providing national security by discouraging the enlistment of gay persons qualified to serve their country and by expelling from the military those who have served with honor." ₂₃

Retired Army general and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili wrote:

"Last year I held a number of meetings with gay soldiers and marines, including some with combat experience in Iraq, and an openly gay senior sailor who was serving effectively as a member of a nuclear submarine crew. These conversations showed me just how much the military has changed, and that gays and lesbians can be accepted by their peers."

"I now believe that if gay men and lesbians served openly in the United States military, they would not undermine the efficacy of the armed forces. ... Our military has been stretched thin by our deployments in the Middle East, and we must welcome the service of any American who is willing and able to do the job." ₂₃

"It's been 15 years and attitudes have changed. And, so, I think it is time for the Congress, since it is their law, to have a full review of it. And I'm quite sure that's what President-elect Obama will want to do." ₁₆