"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Mandates Dishonesty

by Michael Jones · 2010-09-01 13:30:00 UTC
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The most authentic voices surrounding the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" debate are those men and women who experience the discriminatory effects of the policy first hand. Those soldiers booted out of the military after they were found to be gay. Those potential soldiers told they can't enlist because they are LGBT. And those currently serving in silence, who along with their families move through each day wondering if today will be the day that their sexual orientation is disclosed.

Cue the latest video from Servicemembers United, which for the past month has been releasing videos featuring voices calling for an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." These voices have included family members of troops, former troops, and now with their latest, current active duty troops. But the thread that weaves through all of their videos is that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" breeds a culture of lies, deception and dishonesty.

"I have seen personally where we have lost Marines because we have not had a linguist, yet they're kicking out linguists that we need drastically because they're gay," says a current active duty, and gay, U.S. Marine. "I'm constantly feeling like I'm living a double life. It just takes that one person, that one person who has a problem with it, to say something, I worry every day."

The servicemember then adds that the U.S. Marines hold at their core the values of honor, courage and commitment. But when you force people to lie about who they are, you can pretty much throw honor outside the window.

Check out the latest video from Servicemembers United below.


Photo credit: U.S. Army

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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