GAYS IN THE MILITARY

January 2000
		What should the U.S. military policy be toward homosexuals? Co-executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Michelle Benecke and Robert Maginnis, senior director of national security and foreign affairs at the Family Research Council, respond to your questions.

Forum introduction Would admitting homosexuals disrupt unit cohesion? Does sexual orientation have anything to do with patriotism? Could gays serving openly cause distractions in the ranks? If leaders accepted gays, would the rest of the military follow suit? Couldn't Civil Service standards be applied to allow homosexuals to serve openly? How should the military react to prejudice?   Jan. 6, 2000 Four experts discuss the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Dec. 9, 1999 A look at the military's policy toward homosexuals after the death of a gay soldier. April 8, 1999 Two experts discuss the draft issue in comparison to an all-volunteer military force. April 6, 1998 Should men and women should go through military basic training together? Dec. 16, 1997 A special commission suggests separating military training by gender Browse the NewsHour's coverage of the military

Amidst allegations that homosexual military servicemen and women are being singled out for investigation and harassment, Defense Secretary William Cohen announced a three-month review of military policy toward homosexuals beginning last month. Since 1993, the Pentagon has had a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, meaning the defense department says it will not ask about members' sexual preference, and homosexual members are told not to discuss their sexuality. Since the policy went into effect, the number of discharges for homosexuality in all the services has gone up over 80 percent. In 1998, 1,149 cases were reported, compared to 597 in 1994. The policy was a compromise between President Clinton, who had advocated allowing homosexuals to serve openly, and Congress, which had passed a law saying it is illegal for gays in the military to discuss their sexuality. Now, the question of whether homosexuals should serve in the military has reentered the realm of presidential politics. In a debate Jan. 6, both Democratic candidates, Vice President Al Gore and former Senator Bill Bradley, said they supported allowing homosexuals to serve openly. Republican presidential candidates are divided on the issue. Texas Governor George W. Bush and Arizona Senator John McCain have so far supported the current policy. But former Family Research Council head Gary Bauer has called for a ban on allowing homosexuals to serve. What should the military policy toward homosexuals be? Should gays and lesbians serve openly? Co-executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Michelle Benecke and Robert Maginnis, senior director of national security and foreign affairs at the Family Research Council, take your questions.

The PBS NewsHour is Funded in part by: Additional Foundation and Corporate Sponsors
	Program Support From:
About Us Feedback Subscriptions/Feeds Privacy Copyright © 1996- MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved.
Support the kind of journalism done by the NewsHour...Become a member of your local PBS station.