Retired Generals Call For Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
In a letter issued to Congress, 28 retired U.S. generals and admirals called for an end to the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The law, passed in 1993 prohibits anyone who displays a tendency towards homosexual acts from enlisting in military service because “it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale…discipline and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability.”
In a recent poll 73% of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan reported that they were comfortable in the presence of gays and lesbians, while only 37% stated they were not.
Britain, Israel, Australia and Canada allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in their armed services while a 2004 Urban Institute report stated that there are approximately 65,000 gay men and women serving secretly in the U.S military and a reserve forces.
