Discrimination in the military

Since its introduction in 1994, the U.S. Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass" ("Don't Ask, Don't Tell") policy has been an abysmal failure. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" forces people into lives of dishonesty, mocking military traditions of integrity. It is the only law in America that actually dictates firing people because of their sexual orientation, and creates an environment in which LGB people are not only second-class citizens, but also targets of harassment, violence and even murder.

Anti-gay murders that have occurred in the military since "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was implemented have not occurred in a vacuum. They happen because commanding officers create an environment in which hatred and violence is condoned and even encouraged. Anti-gay harassment culminated in the murders by fellow servicemembers of Allen Schindler in 1992 and Barry Winchell in 1999. Just weeks after Winchell's murder, a drill sergeant led Winchell's platoon in a chilling chant, "Faggot, faggot, down the street. Shoot him, shoot him, 'til he retreats," according to former soldier and platoon member Javier Torres.

According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" has deprived our Armed Forces of the skills, talent, experience and commitment of nearly 10,000 personnel discharged under the law.

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