Anti-gay discrimination and harrassment in the U.S. military

The "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which requires the discharge of gay and lesbian servicemembers who fail to hide their sexual orientation, panders to prejudice. More than 7,800 gay and lesbian servicemembers have been discharged without regard to their skills, training, commitment or courage. Recent discharges under the policy include trained linguists proficient in Arabic - servicemembers whose skills are needed now more than ever.

At the same time, the Pentagon has done little to protect gay and lesbian servicemembers from hostile treatment or violence by other servicemembers. In practice, the "don't ask, don't tell" policy perpetuates anti-gay harassment because many servicemembers endure threats or physical attacks in silence for fear that reporting them will lead to disclosure of their sexual orientation and a discharge under the policy.

In response to our report, the Department of Defense said it "remains committed to treating all servicemembers with dignity and respect, while fairly enforcing the provisions of the law." That sounds a lot like saying racist Jim Crow laws were applied "fairly." Discriminatory laws are unacceptable, regardless of how they're applied.

It is time for the U.S. government to repeal the discriminatory "don't ask, don't tell" policy and to address anti-gay harassment in the military. Most of our NATO allies allow gays to serve without restrictions and they have reported no problems. Why can't the U.S. military do the same?

If you are concerned about discrimination in the U.S. military under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy (DADT), we urge you to do one, several or all of the following things:

• Urge President Bush to end DADT discharges and support repeal of the law
  
  
• Ask your Senator or Member of Congress to repeal DADT
  
  
• Call on Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld to stop anti-gay harassment
  
  
• Former servicemembers: Write letters to President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld stating that you oppose the discriminatory DADT policy and that you know from your experience in the armed forces that gays can and do serve without impairing military effectiveness.
  
  
• Contact the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
  A research and advocacy organization dedicated to defending servicemembers harmed by the "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue, don't harass," and related, policies. The group published periodic reports and releases about the effects of the policy and provides legal assistance.
  
  
• Contact the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military
  A research and advocacy organization focused on the treatment of gays and lesbians in the armed forces, in the U.S. and abroad.
  
  

Response from the Commanding General of Fort Campbell February 20, 2003 U.S. Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy Panders to Prejudice HRW Press Release, January 23, 2003 Uniform Discrimination: The 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy of the U.S. Military HRW Report, January, 2003 Letter to President Bush Regarding the U.S. Military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy HRW Letter, January 23, 2003 Letter to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld Regarding the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy HRW Letter, January 23, 2003

(Last Updated January 23, 2003)

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