WASHINGTON (CNN) - A key U.S. Senate committee will hold a hearing on the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays and lesbians, according to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat.
The Senate Armed Services committee will hold the hearing in the fall, she said in a written announcement.
A committee spokeswoman confirmed that there will hearings, but that no specific legislation is under consideration.
"Don't ask, don't tell" is the policy that prevents openly gay troops from serving in the U.S. military.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton instituted it in 1993 as a way of loosening restrictions on gay men and lesbians serving in the armed forces - the policy ended the requirement that servicemen and women state their sexual orientation. But its opponents say it does not go far enough.
"'Don't ask, don't tell' is an unfair, outdated measure that violates the civil rights of some of our bravest, most heroic men and women," Gillibrand said in her statement. "By repealing this policy, we will increase America's strength - both militarily and morally."
Nearly 13,000 service members have been discharged for their sexual orientation since 1993, she said.
President Barack Obama has said he wants Congress to repeal the law, but gay rights groups have been angered that the president has not done more to hasten the change.
Since Obama took office, 265 service members have been discharged for being gay, according to Gillibrand.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, said earlier this month that it is clear the president wants the law changed and he is beginning to work with his staff on how a repeal would be implemented.
But he warned that the decision is not be hurried with two wars ongoing.
"When I talk about looking at this in the future, we have a force that's under extraordinary stress, and it's a force that, you know, should this occur, I think we need to implement in a way that that recognizes the challenges and the stress that we're under right now," said Mullen, the country's highest-ranking military officer.
"But, if it does occur, when it does occur, you know, I'll certainly lead it and carry it out."
Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently said he is looking for ways to make the policy "more humane," including letting people serve who may have been outed due to vengeance or a jilted lover.
But there is plenty of opposition to the repeal. In the spring, more than 1,000 retired officers signed a letter organized by the group Flag and General Officers for the Military urging Obama to uphold the existing law.
"We believe that imposing this burden on our men and women in uniform would undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadership at all levels, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lend their sons and daughters to military service, and eventually break the all-volunteer force," the letter said.
–CNN's Adam S. Levine contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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It would be a good thing for Sen. Gillibrand to be first on top of this since she's up for re-election. Fighting against D.A.D.T. will definitely get her re-elected.
We need to grow up and join the rest of the world and do away with this outdated policy.
Dear Senators,
Review it right out of the books. If someone wants to fight for our country, let him or her, regardless of the gender of the person they love.
265 so far this year. How many since it was instituted? All patriotic Americans that want to serve their country but were kicked out (wasting all the time and $ to train them) because of their lifestyle. Ridiculous. Do hetero soldiers get to flaunt their lifestyle openly? Yup
Don't ask and don't tell, what is so hard to understand about that? If someone is gay that is their business and they don't need to make it anyone elses business. Sexual preference has no place for discussion in any work place. I don't run around announcing that I am Heterosexual!!
As a twenty-five year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, I can tell you that allowing Gays to openly serve in the military will cause problems. At the same time, there is no doubt the current policy is discrimination against the Gay community. There are many situations in the military where there is no privacy, and the first time an openly Gay military person is caught checking somone out in a community shower situation there will be trouble. I've heard Gays state that they would have resraint in those types of situations, but I know if they were to have co-ed showers when I was in, I would not be able to not look at my female counterparts. I think the policy should stay the same, but I also acknoweledge that it is not fair.
Umbama has decided to ignore gays now that he got their votes.
Don't ask, don't tell, don't know them.
It's about time. This policy is despicable and should be repelled.
close down the military.
hire mercenaries.
get the US military out of 113 countries.
I sure hope Obama fights to repeal this embarrassing law. He promised he would and he knows perfectly well that it's the morally right thing to do.
I guess the question for me is how do soldiers, marines and other troops feel about it. I don't think the policy is necessary personally, but I don't know if that matters since I am not in the military and not a homosexual. Also, not being a member of Congress, I won't be able to vote on it. There have been far too many stories of men and women being discharge under this when we need their skill set. That hurts national security
Well, this will certainly get those whack jobs at Westboro BC fired up.
The one thing this will do is eliminate a loophole in which someone can get out. I knew guys who couldn't hack basic training, and some that didn't want to be deployed to Iraq in '91 who said they were gay just to get out. I wonder how many of these discharges listed in this article are like that?
Oh boy! These gay-lesbian issues are riddled with highly charged controversies so much that they need a Gov. intervention in some form or the other.
wasted time on nonsense.
Its about time that the stupid "don't ask, don't tell" be withdrawn. There has ALWAYS been Gays in the military! What are they afraid of? Truth?
This has nothing to do with Obama so either way it goes he can absolve himself from the issue.....again. He has SAID alot but the only thing he's DONE is to have his admin argue in support of DOMA by using really disgusting terminology. Will the 265 dishcarged under his watch get their jobs back if it's appealled?
Let's remember folks, homosexuals are a "minority" of choice. Anyone that is gay and in the military now, knew that DADT was in place before joining. Because it is inconvient to a few it should just be kicked to the curb? Really? I don't think so!
It is inevitable that gays will get their freedom. It's only a mater a time, hold in there.
How about having co-ed showers in the military? Not having it is discriminating too.
Gays only make up a tiny percentage of our forces Obama must be careful not to disrupt the masses in order to accommodate the few. Soldiers and Sailors are trained to do what they are told but I am certain that this will hurt recruitment efforts.
Then again Obama is stripping down the military anyway so what is the difference.
Looks like the Upstate Sen. Gillibrand has begun her run to the left in order get those Downstate votes.
Al, if you would read the article you would see that it is nearly 13000 since 1993.
Marc, for people who can't hack it in basic training they don't get in. They can get out without the dishonable discharge they would get under this policy.
Yes don't ask, don't tell is a policy that can be easily changed but the military law that the policy is based off of is what they need to change otherwise they will still be able to kick you out for being homosexual. It is not the policy that prevents them it is the law that the policy is based off of.
"I don't run around announcing that I am Heterosexual!!"
The difference is that a heterosexual male can talk all day long about his wife and kids and how he wants to get back to them as part of normal conversation with no one batting an eye.
The instant a homosexual or bisexual male accidentally talks about his boyfriend in a completely appropriate manner and how he wants to get back, he's drummed out and denied benefits instantly.
That is the problem, it's not merely "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", it's "Hide, Hope No One Ever Finds Anything".
It's archaic and it weakens us as a nation.
i am sure the new uniforms for presidents new army will look the like the swiss guard...... drip ,,, drip,,, drip,,, a slow but ever true falling apart of our society ,,,,, sad day ,,,,sad day ... that is not what i voted for,,,,,
The reall "Don't ask don't tell" is related to the media's looking the other way concerning Obama's qualifications to be president.
Let me save the taxpayers some money. Eliminate the policy. It isn't in effect now except when specifically challenged by a gay service man or woman. People do ask, and people do tell, and people keep on serving. So... get over it.
I would think our men and women serving this country have enough to worry about, without having to worry if the guy or gal next to you is checking out your ass. Kind of make the whole friendly fire thing understandable.
As an ex military vet, I have worked and fought in some close quarters,had to take group showers, sleep two to a small tent, I would have been highly upset and unconfortable knowing that an openly Gay person is more interested in checking or making a move on me or another same sex person in such confines or openly walking around indicating his/her preference. If these liberal do gooders beleive that the change will go over as simple and easy as they try to make one beleive, they are living in a make beleive world. I wonder Why they want try to change having seperate quarters for men and women in the military. I guess that would be to much like right and could cause problem. "Leave don't ask, Don't tell in place".
Oh!! Don't tell me someone is going to try and do something about this stupid program.
"There are many situations in the military where there is no privacy, and the first time an openly Gay military person is caught checking somone out in a community shower situation there will be trouble."
Under DADT, anybody you're in the communal showers with could be gay and could be surreptitiously checking you out. That's in the current system. With DADT. At least if they were allowed to openly serve, we could make accomodations for them.
The trick to the logistical problems, like communal showers, sleeping quarters, etc, is to talk to the UK and Canada and Israel, our allies in the War on Terror, and find out from them how they do it.
I dont know about this Dont Ask Dont Tell but i do know That Homesexuality is Abominat unto God. Nuff said!
I agree with Johnathan. Keep DAST. I love gay people think they should be treated fairly, but if you turn them lose with no restriction than katy bard the door. They will be like a person who lost weight. talk about in your face, my face, and our kids faces.
However, please respect them.
If a gay man or woman wants to serve his country, his country should at least have the decency to allow him or her to be open about who they are.
It will never happen, keep dreaming sisters.
Who cares, let them fight! Sexual preference should be kept to one's self in public atmospheres but I do understand the apprehension of a straight person with regard to being exposed in tight quarters to something they would see as deviant sexual behavior. Why not form a gay and lesbian fighting unit, like they did in WWII with the Japanese and Blacks. If they feel inclined, they could be deployed to combat to prove their worth to America, it could give them what they are looking for, acceptance....
So parents "lend" their adult children to the military?? I would have thought anyone brave enough to enter the military made their own decisions – Sillly me. Give me a break. If you can deal with your child being shot at, you can deal with the fact that there are gay men and women in the military, just like there are anywhere else..... What a stupid comment.
There will be no problems with the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" if the men and women of the armed forces live up to the honor and respect that they are supposed to be learning in the military. There is no excuse for the prohibition of gays in the military. The policy prevents this country from doing and being at its best. We have lost too many personnel who do valuable work to this policy. It's time to let those who wish to serve their country do so with dignity and respect.
Funny how a CLINTON policy is so despised by the left. Clinton showed wisdom in making this compromise. But no, the left always wants MORE. Gimme Gimme Gimme.
Dear lord – MOST of you liberals are just idiots!
The military CAN discriminate. Individuals become the property of the military when they join. They're told WHERE to live, WHEN to eat, WHAT job to do. Officers CAN NOT fraternize with subordinates. ADULTERY is a dischargable offense.
This is what they sign-up for. And EVERY gay person who signed up KNEW the rules going in... so to cry about this AFTER is crap.
The moment the president orders Gay=OK orders, I sincerely hope Joint Chiefs step down and soldiers do not re-enlist.
If liberals want to implement "PC" policies... then let them enlist and/or their children.
What you will have, Gillibrand, is soldiers shooting the gays again when the government gives the green light to be open about this issue.
I'm surprised at the number of people who want this law repealed.
If they strike it from the books, it goes back to the original requirement.
That is all persons seeking to enlist must disclose their sexual orientation on the enlistment form. Anyone selecting anything other than "Heterosexual" would be automatically disqualified from service.
The "Don't ask, don't tell" allowed Gay persons to serve so long as they didn't reveal their sexual orientation.
So it's not a question of should it be repealed, but what law should replace it.
This phrase is actually Obama's mantra to everything he deals with.
Sad that a bunch of armchair Generals want to make rules for our military. Shouldn't this be an issue that is resolved by the men and women that are willing to get the job done? I find it odd that a group of people who have not served to be the people that make decisions about things they have no knowlege of. In my opinion the me/women that sleep in the trenches, eat MRE's, live their lives as apmutees or are disfigured by IEDs, and suffer through life with PTSD, should be the ones making this kind of decision. NOT a group that make desisions based on getting public approval. Sorry America... If you didn't serve. What gives you the right to tell the ones that did/do how they should live/die? I think this is a soldier, sailors, airmen, marines, coasties call...not the General Public.
As a still serving Veteran of nearly 30 years I say throw it out.
As a gay veteran, I understand both sides of the issue.
On one hand, they're afraid that having openly gay soldiers will affect morale, such as Johnathon's example above. However, that doesn't change the fact that there are already gay soldiers serving. You just don't know who they are.
On the other hand, the DADT causes discrimination, in the fact that straight soldiers are allowed to talk about their personal lives, their wives, their girlfriends, etc. without fear of being discharged. Gay soldiers don't have that luxury.
My big issue with DADT is a security issue. As long as gay soldiers are required to stay in the closet, the enemy can use that to extort classified information from them. 'Give us the designs for the nuclear submarine or we go public'. National security should outweigh any other considerations.
DO THESE SENATORS not have anything better to do,
i am sure there are many other important issues they can be taking care of .
I have no problem with gays serving in the military. I do oppose any uniform being worn in a gay pride parade or any other instance not approved by the miliary. I would also oppose any accomodation made in base housing.
I will support ending DADT but marriage will always be between a man and a woman.
The most absurd "cut off your nose to spite your face" moment in DADT history was the firing of gay Arab linguists at a time when we didn't have many of them and needed them desperately.
This country should be grateful to anyone who wants to serve in the military. Congress needs to get rid of DADT and it needs to do it now. We are all Americans.
I've been in the Army Reserve for 9 years now, and there is a lot of controversy and mixed feelings by my fellow Soldiers about getting rid of the DADT policy. Personally, it doesn't bother me what someone's sexual orientation is as long as it doesn't affect me. Just like in any situation, sexual orientation really plays no major part. Whether we are straight or gay, the same rules apply as to public display of affection while in uniform – there shouldn't be any. Getting rid of the policy is going to cause problems, keeping the policy is going to continue causing problems. This truly is a no-win situation and we have to look at all the facts and think of all possibilities before making a final decision. This is not something you just change over-night as the Gay rights groups are expecting.
I have been in the Army Reserve for 9 years now and there is a lot of controversy on this issue. Personally I don't care as long as it doesn't affect me in any way. Whether someone is straight or gay the same rules about public display of affection apply in uniform, there is to be none whatsoever. However, I know of several Soldiers who are willing to be discharged if the DADT is repealed. Also, it's not that simple to just change the policy, we have to look at all the pros and cons, along with the facts and possible outcomes. This is not something that is going to be changed over night as so many Gay rights groups apparently seem to think. Personally I don't care if we allow gays to serve openly in our military.
As a gay soldier, even if DADT is repealed, I still wouldn't be comfortable coming out to coworkers. Its not exactly a gay-friendly enviornment, nor a liberal-friendly one either. I know it will be a shock to some, but I can actually get my work done without eyeballing all my fellow soldiers. Also, I would say that people constantly ASK me if I'm married. Isnt that violating DADT to ask someone if they're heterosexual? Everyone says its no one's business if they're gay or not, but people talk and they do ask. Trust me, if you're an O-6 and have never been married, people will make assumptions. As for worrying about being checked out in the shower, well, plenty of straight guys check each other out as well just to see the competition. There are plenty of straight guys who fool around on their wives with other guys and gals. Just check out craigslist around a military base and you'll find out.
Good. Its about time. There is no reason why the military, who risk their lives daily, need to be such big whiny babies about gay people. They need to just get over it. No more prejudice.
Why are we trying so hard to change something that works? You don't need to tell eveyone of your sexual orientation to prefom your job.If you do than you need to find another line of work...I spent 20 years in the military and knew some were gay and never suspected others but it never kept me from doing my job,or from giving orders to others,with expectations of them to do their job at the best of their ability ... If you need to proclaim your sexuality openly than you need to be in another line of work.
I don't think sexual preference should hinder anyone from serving...its not right! Its bad enough racism still exists to a high degree even till this day...
When I was stationed in Korea back in the 80's, I was roommates with a homosexual. Never hand any problems nor issues. We both respected each other.
Much ado about nothing. Repeal the law. We need as many loyal Americans to serve their country as we can get.
Heed the words of Barry Goldwater. It does not matter whether a soldier is straight or not, only that he can shoot straight.