Reflection 3: The Invisible Soldiers—On the Legacy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) was the official US military policy on LGBT servicemembers instituted by the Clinton Administration. At the time, the presence of gay soldiers in the military was a flashpoint in the culture wars on the '90s. Conservatives argued that the presence of homosexuals would lower the morale of troops—to be clear, homosexuals have never not existed in the military (even as far back as Greek armies). Their opposition came in the form of a young Democratic president named Bill Clinton. Clinton was not only the first presidential candidate to speak openly about gay rights, he also favored openly-gay service members. After a contentious debate—not only in Washington, but across the country—"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" emerged as a compromise policy. Where gay service members were previously prohibited, they were now allowed to serve so long as their sexual orientation was kept secret. Also, military personal were barred from asking about a soldier's sexuality. It was an imperfect policy—and one that President Clinton long regretted. Still, it remained in place until another young Democratic president, Barack Obama, repealed it in 2011.

What has been the legacy of DADT? How was the US military changed in the nine years service members have been allowed to serve openly? Finally, how has President Trump's ban of transgender soldiers revived the 1990s-era debate?

Choose at least two of the following to include in your discussion:

• "Once Banned, Then Silenced: How Clinton's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy Affected LGBT Military" (History)
• "The Awkward Clinton-Era Debate Over 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'" (TheAtlantic)
• "LGBT Service Members are Allowed to be Out and Proud, but a Fear of Repercussions Persists" (MilitaryTimes)
• "Vice President Joe Biden on the Ninth Anniversary of the Repeal of 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell'" (LGBTQNation) 
• "Queer Service Member: Trump’s Trans Ban ‘is About Fear and Loathing of Transgender Americans’" (TheWorld)

Mechanics:

• 1.5 pages in length
• MLA Style, plus works cited

Due: Wed 10.14 (via Canvas)