‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy Announcement - July 19, 1993

On July 19, 1993, President Bill Clinton publicly announced the U.S. military policy commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). This policy represented a compromise between the existing prohibition on openly gay service members in the U.S. armed forces and the advocacy for allowing them to serve openly. The policy was officially enacted later that year.

Context

Upon taking office in January 1993, President Clinton faced pressure to fulfill a campaign promise to lift the ban on homosexuals serving in the military. However, this initiative encountered strong resistance from military leaders and members of Congress. As a solution, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy emerged during negotiations with Congress and military officials.

Policy Overview

Under this policy:

• Military authorities were instructed not to inquire about a service member’s sexual orientation, hence “Don’t Ask.”
• Service members were prohibited from disclosing their homosexuality or engaging in homosexual conduct, hence “Don’t Tell.”

The intention behind DADT was to allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to serve as long as they kept their sexual orientation private.

Significance and Aftermath

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy sparked significant debate and controversy. It was criticized by advocates for LGBTQ+ rights for necessitating concealment of identity and criticized by opponents of lifting any restrictions on homosexual service.

• During its enforcement from 1993 to its repeal in 2011, approximately 13,000 service members were discharged under the policy.
• President Barack Obama signed the bill repealing DADT in December 2010, officially ending the policy on September 20, 2011. This allowed service members to serve openly regardless of sexual orientation and marked a significant step towards inclusivity in the U.S. military.

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” announcement remains a critical moment in the history of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, reflecting the complexities and tensions inherent in social policy changes.