Congress Changes "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

by John M. Curtis
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Copyright June 1, 2010
All Rights Reserved.                                

             Tiptoeing through a political minefield, Defense Secretary Robert Gates hedged his support in Congress for repealing the Clinton-era “don’t ask, don’t tell,” policy where gays and lesbians can serve silently in the military.  All levels of U.S. armed services—including the Pentagon—have been sprinkled with same-sex orientation patriots, serving their country quietly because of the current ban.  Former President Bill Clinton supported “don’t ask, don’t tell,” because it was the best he could hope to get during a period when Congress and the Pentagon wanted few changes.  While House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) just passed a new bill allowing gays and lesbians to sign-up openly in the military, Senate approval promises more challenges.  Senate approval isn’t expected anytime soon, though it’s moving in that direction sometime before year’s end.  Opposition still exists in the Pentagon and Congress.

            While the military operates under the “Uniform Code of the Military,” it parallels the U.S. Constitution where racial, ethnic, gender, sex or age-based discrimination is discouraged.  Perpetuating “don’t ask, don’t tell” is “politically incorrect” in today’s age of civil rights.  Allowing gays to serve openly parallels current trends toward gay marriage, treating gay or lesbian couples the same as heterosexuals under federal, state and local laws.  “Every man and woman in uniform is a vitally important part of this review. We need to hear from you and your families so that we can make these judgments in the most informed and effective manner,” Gates told military personnel, reassuring skeptics that their voices would be heard.  “So please let us know how to do this right,” continuing to sit on the fence.  Faced with the law on same-sex partners’ side, the trend is toward repeal.

            Ending “don’t ask, don’t tell,” culminates a history of gender-based discrimination against gays and lesbians in the military.  Homophobia reflected practical realities of allowing gays and lesbians to serve with their heterosexual counterparts.  Military commanders warned against low morale stemming from unwanted sexual episodes sometimes occurring when sex-deprived military personnel act-out sexual urges in inappropriate ways.  Evidence of situation-induced sexual aberrations has been observed in the military, priesthood, prison settings, where normal sexual urges are stymied because of circumstances.  Recent headlines about sexual acting out in the priesthood have been well-documented.  Same-sex acting out has be been observed in religious or prison settings where heterosexuality is not possible.  Military officials have recognized the limitations.

            Pentagon brass and enlisted personnel should be reminded of existing rules regarding sexuality in military settings.  There’s no evidence that homosexuality is more disruptive than heterosexual activity, where enlisted personnel find clever ways to gratify sexual urges.   While fence-sitting publicly, Gates leans toward ending the ban because he believes the military can deal with rule-breakers.  Old arguments about disrupting the battlefield no longer hold water.  When combat personnel are off-duty, they typically find outlets for their needs and stress, including alcohol and sexual behavior.  “He wanted to make it clear that the department’s review of how to smartly implement a change in the law is more important than ever, and their participation in it is absolutely critical to its success,” said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, commenting on Gate’s careful approaching to any change.

            In the House bill, gays can openly sign-up and serve as long as they don’t tell anyone, expelling them for disclosure.  Gates reassured Congress that “current law, policies and regulations remain in place, and we’re obligated to abide by them as before,” persuading skeptical members of Congress and the military.  While most voters favor a change in the Pentagon policy, the military fears disruptions on and off the battlefield.  Whether the Pentagon accepts it or not, homosexuals don’t influence heterosexuals to act out sexually.  Unlike prisons or the priesthood, the military setting still provides heterosexual soldiers enough outlets to prevent the kind of actions seen in more restrictive settings.  Pentagon officials, when considering a change in “don’t ask, don’t tell,” should know that heterosexual soldiers or brass aren’t likely to act out with their  homosexual colleagues

            Current tends toward improved civil rights, inside or outside the military bode well for ending the Clinton-era “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.  Both officers and enlisted men and woman have enough confidence in their heterosexuality to avoid acting out with homosexuals serving in the military.  Gates warned the military:  “do not let the ongoing political debate distract you from what is important our critical mission to defend our country and or duty to uphold the values represented by the uniform you wear,” urging members of Congress and the Pentagon to reevaluate the current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.  Proposed amendments to allow gays to be open while signing up but silent when serving, continue the kind of closeted existence embodied in “don’t ask, don’t tell.”  Threatening to evict gays or lesbians if their identities leak-out is just as bad as the old policy.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.