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 law passed by Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993 to prohibit openly homosexual soldiers from serving in the military. It was repeatedly challenged, and repeatedly upheld, in the court system, but its repeal has been a goal of the homosexual agenda for nearly two decades.

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.

On December 18, 2010, the lame duck Senate passed a law repealing it, and sent it to President Barack Obama for signature, who officially signed the bill on December 22, 2010. The repeal of the law will likely decrease our military effectiveness, as openly gay soldiers are a risk to lower morale and unit cohesiveness.