Why It Exists – The History and Foundation of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
In 1993, then president Bill Clinton introduced legislation to allow openly gay men and women to serve in the military. Prior to 1993, homosexuals were strictly prohibited from serving. At the time, the attitude surrounding us [gay citizens] was very negative. It was not an accepted lifestyle, it was not understood, and the media had not taken the stance that it now takes some 17 years later. It was a time before Ellen and before Will and Grace. It was a time when being gay was an immoral choice equated to child molestation, rape, or murder. There was no glamor and little acceptance to the gay community, and there certainly was little pride. Gay was taboo, shameful, and far too divisive for most. And for many, it was a threat. People believed that being gay meant that they were in danger of being raped or acted upon inappropriately. For these reasons, and likely thousands more, the country at the time simply was not prepared for gay people to serve openly in the armed forces. There was too much prejudice, too much hate, and too much ignorance.
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) was born from a compromise. The military needed personnel, and it did not make any sense to turn away willing and able men and women interested in serving, but the powers that be recognized that there were going to be problems with allowing openly gay men and women to serve. Many believed that homosexuals would negatively impact the morale of a squadron and/or endanger the team by breaking the element or cohesion. With those claims, the decision was mad, and here we are. We serve… “in the closet.” Of course, this policy was not only to appease those that fear gay people. It is a protective measure as it took away any information that would instigate damaging behavior. The policy has evolved into its current state of “don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t pursue, don’t harass.”
In the 1993 world, you know, the one where gay people were lesser than straight people, I truly believe that if gays were allowed to serve openly without the protection of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, there would have been much more suffering. Now, over time, it would have gone away, but it would have been unnecessary strife. I think that it allowed us to more civilly get to the point we are today which is addressing the REAL problem.
The REAL Problem – Homophobia
The REAL problem is simple. The REAL problem is homophobia.
Some people are homophobic, or fear gay people, and they may potentially act out from that fear. Fear is a motivator of irrational behavior. I know this because I am afraid of insects that sting, and while a sting is a minor discomfort, it comes from an insect that is harmless in nature and quite important to our ecosystem. Even with that knowledge, I still run, swing, swat, or otherwise act out my fear for that insect. In the words of Master Yoda [yeah, I went there], “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
Recent conversations and research has confirmed that the ONLY motivator behind continuing this policy is fear. The fearful paint a picture where gay men and women are weaker, unable to perform, introduce risk, and otherwise jeopardize the military and those with whom they serve. Science, however, paints a far different picture. The difference is night and day.
The American Psychological Association states: [1]
Empirical evidence fails to show that sexual orientation is germane to any aspect of military effectiveness including unit cohesion, morale, recruitment and retention (Belkin, 2003; Belkin & Bateman, 2003; Herek, Jobe, & Carney, 1996; MacCoun, 1996; National Defense Research Institute, 1993).
Comparative data from foreign militaries and domestic police and fire departments show that when lesbians, gay men and bisexuals are allowed to serve openly there is no evidence of disruption or loss of mission effectiveness (Belkin & McNichol, 2000-2001; Gade, Segal, & Johnson, 1996; Koegel, 1996).
When openly gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals have been allowed to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces (Cammermeyer v. Aspin, 1994; Watkins v. United States Army, 1989/1990), there has been no evidence of disruption or loss of mission effectiveness.
The U.S. military is capable of integrating members of groups historically excluded from its ranks, as demonstrated by its success in reducing both racial and gender discrimination (Binkin & Bach, 1977; Binkin, Eitelberg, Schexnider, & Smith, 1982; Kauth & Landis, 1996; Landis, Hope, & Day, 1984; Thomas & Thomas, 1996).
Most experts believe that military effectiveness is related to military service members’ shared commitment to a common goal that motivates them to work together to achieve the goal (MacCoun, Kier, & Belkin, 2006; MacCoun, 1996). Leadership of the group is also considered crucial. Sexual orientation is irrelevant to task cohesion, the only type of cohesion that critically predicts the team’s military readiness and success (c.f. Herek & Belkin, 2005).
The DADT policy, works against effective mental health access for gay, lesbian and bisexual military personnel for at least three reasons. First, workplaces that are not supportive of non-heterosexual orientations are strongly correlated with stress and depression (Smith & Ingram, 2004). Second, since disclosure of sexual orientation is officially prohibited, gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members are liable to avoid accessing mental health services when they need them (Johnson & Buhrke, 2006). Third, it is reasonable to assume that forced secrecy and the fear of being exposed as gay, lesbian or bisexual are likely to disproportionally increase anxiety and disrupt optimal performance.
Armed forces personnel between 18 and 25 of age, as well as women, are discharged at much higher rates than their respective percentages in the Military.
Consistent with a long-standing body of social psychology research based on Allport’s (1954) contact hypothesis, scientists have repeatedly found evidence for reduced prejudice levels toward gay, lesbian or bisexual people among heterosexuals who are acquainted with openly gay, lesbian or bisexual members of society (e.g., Herek & Capitanio, 1996; Herek & Glunt, 1993; Schneider & Lewis, 1984). The authors of a comprehensive recent meta-analysis of the last six decades of research in this area demonstrate that the correlation of contact between heterosexuals and gay and lesbian persons with lower levels of sexual prejudice is significantly higher than prejudice reduction linked to contact with any other target group, e.g. differing in race or age (Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006).
It is even the case that many military personnel no longer feel it necessary to continue the policy.
Former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell said that DADT was:
“correct for the time” but that “sixteen years have now gone by, and I think a lot has changed with respect to attitudes within our country, and therefore I think this is a policy and a law that should be reviewed.” [2]
What SHOULD Be Done – Repeal It!
Repeal this antiquated policy. Stop fueling the hate! Focus on the REAL problem and educate those that are fearful. Protect those whom the fearful injure. There is no reason to believe that we are any more or less safe because we fight along-side our gay brothers and sisters. We are all fighting for the same things, we are all Americans , and we are ALL in this together! Continuing this policy, and those like it, only reinforces that there is something innately wrong with homosexually. Religion aside, there is NOTHING wrong and/or different with homosexually. Period.
Sources
[1] – Wikipedia: Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
[2] – Reuter’s: Time to review policy on gays in U.S. military: Powell
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Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell :: Don’t Continue
Posted by bretthperkins on February 3, 2010
Why It Exists – The History and Foundation of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
In 1993, then president Bill Clinton introduced legislation to allow openly gay men and women to serve in the military. Prior to 1993, homosexuals were strictly prohibited from serving. At the time, the attitude surrounding us [gay citizens] was very negative. It was not an accepted lifestyle, it was not understood, and the media had not taken the stance that it now takes some 17 years later. It was a time before Ellen and before Will and Grace. It was a time when being gay was an immoral choice equated to child molestation, rape, or murder. There was no glamor and little acceptance to the gay community, and there certainly was little pride. Gay was taboo, shameful, and far too divisive for most. And for many, it was a threat. People believed that being gay meant that they were in danger of being raped or acted upon inappropriately. For these reasons, and likely thousands more, the country at the time simply was not prepared for gay people to serve openly in the armed forces. There was too much prejudice, too much hate, and too much ignorance.
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) was born from a compromise. The military needed personnel, and it did not make any sense to turn away willing and able men and women interested in serving, but the powers that be recognized that there were going to be problems with allowing openly gay men and women to serve. Many believed that homosexuals would negatively impact the morale of a squadron and/or endanger the team by breaking the element or cohesion. With those claims, the decision was mad, and here we are. We serve… “in the closet.” Of course, this policy was not only to appease those that fear gay people. It is a protective measure as it took away any information that would instigate damaging behavior. The policy has evolved into its current state of “don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t pursue, don’t harass.”
In the 1993 world, you know, the one where gay people were lesser than straight people, I truly believe that if gays were allowed to serve openly without the protection of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, there would have been much more suffering. Now, over time, it would have gone away, but it would have been unnecessary strife. I think that it allowed us to more civilly get to the point we are today which is addressing the REAL problem.
The REAL Problem – Homophobia
The REAL problem is simple. The REAL problem is homophobia.
Some people are homophobic, or fear gay people, and they may potentially act out from that fear. Fear is a motivator of irrational behavior. I know this because I am afraid of insects that sting, and while a sting is a minor discomfort, it comes from an insect that is harmless in nature and quite important to our ecosystem. Even with that knowledge, I still run, swing, swat, or otherwise act out my fear for that insect. In the words of Master Yoda [yeah, I went there], “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
Recent conversations and research has confirmed that the ONLY motivator behind continuing this policy is fear. The fearful paint a picture where gay men and women are weaker, unable to perform, introduce risk, and otherwise jeopardize the military and those with whom they serve. Science, however, paints a far different picture. The difference is night and day.
The American Psychological Association states: [1]
It is even the case that many military personnel no longer feel it necessary to continue the policy.
Former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell said that DADT was:
What SHOULD Be Done – Repeal It!
Repeal this antiquated policy. Stop fueling the hate! Focus on the REAL problem and educate those that are fearful. Protect those whom the fearful injure. There is no reason to believe that we are any more or less safe because we fight along-side our gay brothers and sisters. We are all fighting for the same things, we are all Americans , and we are ALL in this together! Continuing this policy, and those like it, only reinforces that there is something innately wrong with homosexually. Religion aside, there is NOTHING wrong and/or different with homosexually. Period.
Sources
[1] – Wikipedia: Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
[2] – Reuter’s: Time to review policy on gays in U.S. military: Powell
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This entry was posted on February 3, 2010 at 11:26 am and is filed under Commentary, Thought. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.