Guidelines for Online Profiles

Under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" stating that you are lesbian, gay or bisexual to any one, at any time, can lead to your discharge - including statements made in online ads, profiles and chat rooms. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has seen multiple cases of service members whose careers were threatened or ended because of an online statement. The safest course of action is not to state that you are lesbian, gay or bisexual online. If you choose to do so, some basic rules can help you decrease your chances of facing investigation and or discharge:

- DO use a pseudonym or screen name to avoid disclosing your identity;

- DO NOT use a military email address for your profile;

- DO NOT access LGBT sites through a military computer at any time, or even through a personal computer during duty hours;

- DO NOT mention the fact that you are in the military in your personal profile, in chat rooms or other online forums;

- DO NOT provide photographs - especially not in uniform - or descriptions of tattoos or other identifying information;

- DO NOT tell friends in the military that you have a profile with a LGBT site;

- DO NOT submit your profile to be a "featured member;"

- DO NOT use any video-chat features.

Most service members who run into trouble with the military because their online activities are reported to their commands by people they believe to be their friends. If you are lesbian, gay or bisexual, you must be extremely careful about revealing your sexual orientation to anyone, regardless of whether that person is in the military or a friend from the civilian or online world.

If you have questions about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" you can contact SLDN at 202-328-3244 or visit us at http://www.sldn.org for free confidential legal advice.

If you are investigated for alleged violations of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," remember your Article 31 rights to say nothing, sign nothing, and ask for legal assistance.