Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell by Saanvi Kunisetty

 Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Saanvi Kunisetty

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell lasted from July 19, 1993 to September 20, 2011. Around the time of preparation for World War II, homosexuality began to be classified as a disorder, and became grounds for exclusion in the military. Despite this, many gays and lesbians continued to serve in the military, restraining from revealing their sexual identity, but by the 1980s, thousands of individuals were being discharged. During his 1992 presidential campaign, Clinton proclaimed that he would put an end to the ban on homosexuals in the military if he was elected, but he faced disapproval from Congress. Clinton announced the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, which allowed gays to serve in the military if they remained closeted, and the policy became official in February of 1994. The policy proved to be an inadequate solution, as treatment toward LGBTQIA+ individuals did not change significantly, and thousands were still being discharged. By 2010, Clinton voiced his regrets on the DADT policy. Obama promised to overturn DADT during his 2008 presidential campaign, and the repeal finally became official in September of 2011. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell shows us how time can really have an impact on the way we see things. During Clinton’s time, when DADT was proposed, it was seen as a huge and progressive step. Now, looking back, many of us don’t see it the same way.

Resources: 

https://www.history.com/news/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-compromise