Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010
12/22/2010
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
Add only page 1 to activity:
Add only page 2 to activity:
Add only page 3 to activity:
Add only page 4 to activity:
During World War II, the U.S. Armed Forces established a policy that discharged homosexuals regardless of their behavior. In 1981, the Defense Department prohibited gay and lesbian military members from serving in its ranks with a policy that stated, "Homosexuality is incompatible with military service." In the decade following, 17,000 service members were discharged from their duties for being homosexual.
This spurred a new policy called "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" during the Clinton Administration. In November 1993, the Defense Authorization Act put "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" into effect, allowing gay and lesbian citizens to serve in the military as long as they did not make their sexual orientation public. Commanders were prohibited from inquiring about a service member's orientation provided that they adhered to this condition. Additionally, the policy forbid military personal from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual service members and applicants.
By 2008, more than 12,000 officers had been discharged from the military for publicizing their homosexuality. On December 18, 2010, the Senate overturned the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy by a 65-31 vote, which President Barack Obama signed a few days later. The repeal allows gay and lesbian military members to serve openly in the armed forces.
This primary source comes from the General Records of the United States Government.
Full Citation: A bill to amend the Small Business Act with respect to the Small Business Innovation Research Program; 12/22/2010; Public Law 11-321; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789 - 2013; General Records of the United States Government, Record Group 11; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal, April 24, 2024]