don't ask don't tell
On its 10th anniversary, "don't ask, don't tell" exists in a vastly changed nation. In 1993, there was no "Will & Grace," no gay Jack on "Dawson's Creek," no gay-themed Miller Lite commercials. In 1993, fewer than a dozen U.S. high schools had Gay-Straight Alliance organizations. Today, there are almost 2,000. In 1993, fewer than a dozen Fortune 500 companies offered health benefits to domestic partners. Today, nearly 200 do.
This newer version of America is the one young enlistees leave behind when they join the military. On average, three or four service members are discharged each day because they are gay. Most are discharged for making statements about their sexuality, and most are younger than 25.
Anne Hull in The Washington Post: How "Don't Tell" Translates.
Comments
I think this is one of the issues that Clinton gets the least credit for. So much of the climate towards gays and lesbians changed just within his first couple years in office. Yes, he could have done so, so much more, but considering we were coming off an administration that wouldn't even say the word Aids publicly until 1987, we took some tremendous strides during that period.
Posted by: Valarie | December 3, 2003 2:50 PM
I don't know. In essence, the policy gave the administration's blessing to discrimination. Clinton himself has since renounced it. I think he deserves more blame than credit, though you're right that he had a lot to work against.
Posted by: nedlog | December 3, 2003 3:21 PM
I agree with you nedlog.
The number of people forced to resign increased dramatically post "Don't Tell."
Moreover, Clinton was prez for the Defense of Marriage Act.
Have you seen how pathetic the Dems have been on this issue even in light of the Mass. court ruling?
No Backbones!
Posted by: zagg | December 3, 2003 5:23 PM
*jaw hangs open*
wtf?
i didnt kno this kinda shit still happened in the western world.
btw, whats the 'defense of marriage act'? excuse my ignorance im an aussie.
Posted by: alcarcalimo | December 3, 2003 9:45 PM
CNN: Anti gay marriage act clears Congress, 9/10/96
lectlaw.com: Defense of Marriage Act
Posted by: nedlog | December 4, 2003 10:06 AM
I wasn't referring to the 'Don't ask, don't tell' issue itself, which I think was a disaster, so much as the other changes that that first paragraph mentioned. I was amazed to watch much of my own family go through a transformation during his early years in office. In 1990, you could have said their attitudes were hostile or, at best, uncomfortable towards gays and lesbians on the few times the subject ever arose in conversation. But by, say, 1994, I could talk about my gay friends and nobody would bat an eyelash. Although he could have done vastly more in the military or with AIDS funding, he brought gay and lesbian issues out in the open in a way that hadn't been done by an administration before.
Posted by: Valarie | December 4, 2003 3:08 PM