Defense directives in the U.S. government began discriminating against LGB service members in 1950 under President Truman. For the past 61 years, LGB members of the military have been banned from serving their country simply because of their sexual orientation. One law in particular, \u201cDon\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell\u201d issued in 1993 by President Clinton, is responsible for the discharge of over 14,500 service members.<\/p>\n
This year \u201cDon\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell\u201d has been repealed. On September 20th, 2011, LGB service members will no longer be discharged because of their sexual orientation.<\/p>\n
However, this policy does not address the issues facing transgender service members, or those who wish to enlist. \u201cDon\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell\u201d only addresses lesbians, gays, and bisexuals; the repeal also only includes these groups. PFLAG is dedicated to helping end discrimination for all service members, and works together with Servicemembers Legal Defense Network to bring an end to full LGBT discrimination in our military.<\/p>\n
Learn More about LGBT military issues:<\/strong><\/p>\n Take Action<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell\u201d Repeal – The Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n Previous Legislation: The Military Readiness Enhancement Act<\/p>\n Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn) introduced The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2010 (S. 3065) on March 3, 2010 as a way to repeal Don\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell. However, this bill failed to advance.<\/p>\n Current Legislation: The Don\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell Repeal Act of 2010<\/p>\n Introduced as\u00a0H.R. 2965<\/a>\u00a0and sponsored by Representative Jason Altmire (D-PA), this bill repeals the \u201cDon\u2019t Ask, Don\u2019t Tell\u201d policy banning gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.\u00a0This bill was signed by President Obama into law on July 21, 2011<\/a>\u00a0and accepted by the Pentagon on July 22, 2011.<\/p>\n Key Points:\n
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