Don't Ask Don't Tell

Victor M. Rivera Jr.

WRTG291

Professor Yildiz Nuredinoski

April 8, 2012

Abstract

The United States’ “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy has systematically violated the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) service members and those who aspire to serve openly. Though the military has noticeably evolved since the early 1990’s, the LGB population have been and are continually discriminated against and ultimately victimized solely due to their sexual orientation. The depths of this victimization are difficult to gauge because of the lack of scientific information associated with LGB individuals. The DADT policy communicates an underlying message that the LGB public must stay “in the closet”, therefore, their victimization also goes unreported. This lack of scientific evidence in and of itself demonstrates the enormity of DADT’s discriminatory affects on the LGB community. The author argues that the actual policy and lack of evidence in fact adds to the senseless victimization of LGB people and is the root cause for the lack of victim reporting. The sexual stigma, sexual intolerance, and old-fashioned gender role attitudes associated with the DADT policy have made next to impossible for LGB people to have a voice when it pertains to being a victim of sexual harassment, assault or discrimination. DADT actually perpetuates senseless victimization of homosexuals in the military and fosters and environment where the LGB community believes they cannot and should not report these incidents and get the help they need and deserve. Therefore, the lack of evidence makes it next to impossible to assist LMB service members with policies that speak to prevention and future scientific research. Since the repeal of the DADT policy, there is an overwhelming concern of extensive violence toward LGB people and consequently, these incidents will also go unreported. This article provides important background information and encompasses the rationale which led the Unites States...