Don't ask, don't tell

Don't ask, don't tell (Pub.L. 103-160 (10 U.S.C. § 654)) is the common name given to the military policy adopted early in the first term of President Bill Clinton against allowing homosexual soldiers in the military (They must not bring up their orientation, however). It has been upheld in the court system against legal challenge.

The premise of the policy is that a gay person will not be dismissed from active duty if he does not bring up his sexuality. At the same time, the military is legally enjoined from "asking" about a soldier's sexuality, or (in the oft forgotten third part of the phrase, "don't pursue") to investigate rumors of a soldier's sexuality. However, if a soldier does "come out", or if, without investigation, evidence is found of a soldier's sexuality, that soldier can be and generally is dismissed from active duty. This policy also changed the dismissal from "Dishonorably discharged", to "Honorably discharged" or simply "discharged" as the situation warrants, depending on the merits of the soldier's service.

Its repeal has been called for during the 2008 Presidential Campaign by both Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama although John McCain supports its continued implementation.