Homosexual Separations from Military Service
Government Accountability Office Findings
The prohibition against homosexual conduct is a longstanding element of military law. But in January 1993, President Clinton sought to fulfill a campaign promise to “lift the ban” on homosexuals serving in the military. This led to the policy familiarly known as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. In exchange for the military services’ silence (“don’t ask”) about a person’s homosexuality prior to induction, gay and lesbian servicemembers, as a condition of continued service, would have to agree to silence (“don’t tell”) about this aspect of their life. Failure to maintain silence can result in separation from the military. In November 1993,…
