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Dissidents: Veterans Speak Out for Justice Main Menu Racism in the US Military Veterans Against War Women, Gender, and Sexuality in the US Military Dissidents Veterans Speak Out

Jennifer Dane: Serving Under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Introduced by former President Bill Clinton in 1993, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was signed into law by Congress in 1994, aiming to let members of the LGBTQ+ community serve their country - only as long as they kept their sexual identity under wraps. Under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," members of the military were prohibited from discriminating against other members they perceived to be gay. However, the policy did little to deter discrimination. Bisexual or homosexual members of the military were not allowed to disclose their sexual orientation or refer to any same-sex relationships. Violation of this policy or engaging in "homosexual conduct" would result in the service member being discharged, losing their veteran's benefits, or worse.

When Jennifer Dane enlisted to serve in the U.S. Air Force in 2010, she had to sign paperwork indicating that that she was not a member of the LGTBQ+ community nor would she disclose her sexual identity.

"Because it says, 'You are affirming that this is like true in fact that you are not gay.' And so I remember like struggling in signing that and just knowing that I was going to have to abide by that."

The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy quickly proved to be detrimental towards the LGTBQ+ community as it forced them into secrecy with doing little to combat the prejudice against them. By 2009, the military had discharged more than 13,000 lesbians, gays, and bisexuals since "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was introduced. The policy has left a hurtful legacy, even after being repealed in September of 2011. Members who had been discharged because of sexual orientation lost their career, lost access to veteran's benefits, including medical care, pensions, and were ineligible for the G.I. bill. Many faced forced outings, harassment, and targeting from other service members. Even investigations surrounding sexual assault cases turned into investigations about sexual identity. The shortfalls of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy are still lingering today as members wronged by this legislation are still seeking remedies.

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Jennifer Dane: Impact of Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy, Crossing the Military-Civilian Divide Jennifer Dane, "Crossing the Military Civilian Divide," interviewed by Dr. Jason A. Higgins, Jan. 20, 2023, Washington D.C.. "Crossing the Military-Civilian Divide" project is part of a 4-VA Collaborative research project by Dr. Jason A. Higgins, postdoctoral fellow in digital humanities, and Andre Taylor, oral historian at the College of William and Mary. Special thanks to our three research assistants Leena Alsayab, Madison Cholewa, and Gabrielle Wells, who are undergraduate students and recent graduates of Virginia Tech.