Modifying/repealing the "Don't Ask,
Don't Tell" (DADT) policy: 2005-2007

"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." _4,3

"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." ₃

"... 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." _6/b>

"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." ₆