The Pentagon's controversial 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy officially ended yesterday amid celebrations by gay and lesbian service members who could, for the first time, be honest about their sexual orientation without the risk of losing their jobs.
The 1993 law barred the military from asking those in uniform if they were gay. But anyone who openly declared his or her status was subject to being discharged. And over the last 18 years, some 14,000 service members did lose their jobs as a result of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'
President Obama first promised to lift the ban when he was running for president in 2008. Although he had the support of many politicians, it took until last December for Congress to vote on the repeal.
The first three minutes and 10 seconds of this video are an overview of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal, while the rest is a conversation with Lieutenant Commander Zac Mathews of the U.S. Coast Guard, who was outed as gay and discharged under the law but now hopes to re-enlist.
Quotes
"I love the Marine Corps, which is why I haven't been able to completely leave it, even though "don't ask, don't tell" made my life pretty miserable." - Capt. Sarah Pezzat, U.S. Marine Corps
"I'm committed to removing all of the barriers that would prevent Americans from serving their country and from rising to the highest level of responsibility that their talents and capabilities warrant. These are men and women who put their lives on the line in the defense of this country. And that's what should matter the most." - Leon Panetta, U.S. Secretary of Defense
Warm Up Questions
1. What is ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?’ Why do you think it became law?
2. What are the main branches of the U.S. military?
3. What wars and conflicts is the U.S. military currently involved in?
Discussion Questions
1. Some analysts have said that big military policy changes like the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ are more likely to be made in times of war than in times of peace. Why do you think that’s the case?
2. Why do you think ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ didn’t work well in practice?
3. Why was the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ such a tricky topic for Congress?
Additional Resources
