What is "don't ask, don't tell" rule? Is it for gay military?

Answer 1

Means that you can be a homosexual in the military as long as you do not tell anyone or let it be known. They won't 'ask' you if you are.

I've heard that just as many ppl are kicked out of the military for being gay as before this policy. It really doesn't do anything.

Answer 2

In the past, the American armed forces did not allow gay and lesbian members. Confessing your homosexuality would get you tossed out. If they even guessed you were gay during the draft (when the made people join) or enlistment process, they had a psychologist check you out and if he thought you were gay, you didn't get in.

During Bill Clinton's administration, a move was on to open the military to gay and lesbian soldiers, sailors, airmen (air-persons?) etc. But this was very controversial. The outcome was "Don't Ask, Don't tell." You can be gay in the military, and nobody was to ask you or check you out. That was forbidden. But it was also forbidden that you'd tell anyone you were gay. The really bad news is that having gay sex is a way of telling somebody you are gay, so you can't even have sex! Nor can you let anybody see that you read the Advocate or other gay publications, or certainly not that you have a boyfriend (or girlfriend for girl military types).

Many LBGT persons think that this system is worse than the old system of just lying about it! But either way, the military always had, and still does have it's share of lesbian bisexual and gay members. It's just a worrisome matter for them that they will be outed, and cannot out themselves when appropriate, as they'd face a dishonorable discharge.

Answer 3

The "Don't ask Dont Tell" was enacted by President Clinton. It allows gay men and women to serve in the US Military. They are allowed to be gay, but they are not allowed to act in any way homosexual.

It means as long as the military doesn't find out, and you don't tell them you are gay you are ok. You can go to a gay bar, you can be gay. Just don't have gay sex, don't have a gay partner, and don't tell anyone you are Gay.

I left the USAF because of this policy. It has not helped the gay men and women in the services. The site below might help

Answer 4

"Don't Ask, Don't tell" is the common term for the U.S. military policy which implements Public Law 103-160, codified at 10 U.S.C. Sec. 654. The policy prohibits anyone who has sexual bodily contact with a person of the same sex from serving in the armed forces of the United States, and prohibits any homosexual or bisexual from disclosing his or her sexual orientation, or from speaking about any homosexual relationships, including marriages or other familial attributes, while serving in the United States armed forces. On the other hand the policy requires that as long as gay or bisexual men and women in the military hide anything that could disclose sexual orientation, commanders will not try to investigate their sexuality.

It was introduced as a compromise measure in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, who while campaigning for the Presidency had promised to allow all citizens regardless of sexual orientation to serve openly in the military, a departure from the contemporary complete ban on those who are not heterosexual. The actual policy was crafted by Colin Powell and has been maintained by Clinton's successor, George W. Bush. The policy is opposed by some pro- and anti-gay advocates alike.

Answer 5

The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass" policy is a practical ban on gay men, lesbians and bisexuals serving in the military — similar to the policies banning service by such individuals that have been in place for the past fifty years. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the only law in this country that authorizes the firing of an American simply for coming out as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Some Americans view the policy as a benign gentlemen’s agreement, with discretion providing the key to job security. But "discretion" is not a fail-safe mechanism. An honest statement by a servicemember of his or her sexual orientation to anyone, anywhere, anytime may lead to discharge from the armed services. Moreover, discretion in the form of mandated silence is itself a form of oppression and discrimination.

Answer 6

It's a stupid rule intended for gays in the military, which I think is kind of dumb because if the straight men and women serving in the military are allowed to talk about their spouses/girlfriends/boyfriends and their loved ones greet them after a long deployment, isn't that a telling action? I have nothing against them, I used to date military men, it's just my opinion.

Answer 7

In a nutshell; "Don't ask me if I'm homosexual" and I "won't tell anyone if I am". It's a mutual agreement about being in the closet. It's pathetic, actually.

Many countries allow homosexuals into their forces.

The American reason for not openly allowing homosexuals to serve is "blackmail purposes" and "group morale" -which are both cop-outs. If someone's out of the closet, then how can they be blackmailed? And "group morale" isn't just about the REST of the group, it's about everyone's morale. We're trained as a group, function as a group, live like a family. Everyone's different. Get over it. Everyone sleeps in different bunks, or even different dorms and dorm rooms. What's the prob?

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was a small step in the true integration of military personnel. Now it's time for a leap.

Answer 8

It essentially means that TECHNICALLY speaking, they'll allow gay men and lesbians to serve in the military as long as said gay men and lesbians stay in the closet for their entire career. You're not supposed to tell ANYONE, in the military or out (ie; I seem to recall hearing that they can technically discharge you for coming out to family, if that somehow got back to them). De facto, it really doesn't change the ban on gay people in the military.

Answer 9

It applies to homosexuals in the military. I think it should apply to heterosexuals as well, though. When I was in the Army I was really sick of hearing guys brag about how many times they've put their cocks in a girl's *** and how many times she swallowed. I'm sorry, does anyone find that kind of talk disturbing? Well, so do I. But somehow, I can handle a guy saying that he's in love with another man.

Answer 10

It is a idea for everything in the military. Don't ask don't know. It was used for the gays. Now it is used for everything.