About “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell” (DADT) is the law banning openly lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans from serving in the military. Prior to the passage of DADT in 1993, homosexuality in the military was banned by regulation.  During his first campaign for president, Bill Clinton vowed to lift the ban by executive order. President Clinton’s attempt to allow open service failed; it resulted in the passage of the DADT law.

Since the law’s 1994 implementation, more than 12,500 women and men have been discharged. According to a 2005 Government Accountability Office report, nearly 800 of those discharged were ‘mission-critical’ specialists--including pilots, intelligence analysts, medics and linguists. A Blue Ribbon Commission Report found that the cost to replace and train service members discharged from fiscal years 1994 through 2003 exceeded $363.8 million.

In spite of the ban, some gay service members are serving openly with the support of their colleagues. Others are still harassed based on their perceived sexual orientation and serve in fear of losing their careers.

History of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Learn more about how the military’s current ban on openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members came to be the law of the land.

The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Law

Read the statute that made discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans the law of the land.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Directives, Memos, Etc.

Read Department of Defense directives, memos, and other documents related to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Government Reports on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Learn more about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” from reports commissioned by Congress and the Department of Defense.

SLDN Reports

Learn more about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” from SLDN’s annual reports evaluating the discriminatory policy.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Research & Polls

Explore the existing research on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and its effects on military readiness, and explore polling research on the opinions of political leaders, major newspapers, and ordinary Americans regarding “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Fact Sheets

Get the information you need to advocate for repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell!" These fact sheets may be reproduced to share with friends and colleagues, at community events, with decision makers, and at any other venue to illustrate why the military’s ban on openly lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members should be repealed.