MISCONCEPTION: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was the first anti-gay military policy.
TRUTH: Discrimination against homosexuals has been military policy since 1942.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is a
law rather than a
military policy, which can only be overturned by a new law or invalidation by
the courts. The military has no power to change the law, and opponents of DADT
should lobby Congress to get it changed. ROTC supporters at Columbia, which
include several gay veterans, have lobbied Congress to reform DADT for years. We
welcome all to join our campaign.
The poster reveals an important historical perceptive. Indeed, military policy
against homosexuals existed before DADT. At this time, homosexuality was
criminalized in multiple sectors of society, which allowed police to raid the
Stonewall Inn in 1969, and even the American Psychological Association listed
homosexuality as a mental disorder until 1973. In fact, Lawrence v. Texas struck
down laws against sodomy as late as 2003. Our point is that the military
reflects society, and it is unrealistic to expect change to occur instantly. We
must work to be a part of that change.
Yes, DADT is discriminatory, but it must be seen in its historical context: as a
measure passed by Congress and signed by Bill Clinton to allow homosexuals to
serve in the military. The law is antiquated, but it should not prevent us from
engaging with the military in a continued struggle for equal LGBT rights, now
being waged by
65,000 LGBT soldiers.
Analysis and photo by Columbia Students for
NROTC.