On February 28, 1994 the Clinton Administration initiated the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy into effect. This policy prevented military personnel from discriminating against or harassing bisexual or homosexual service members or applicants, while denying openly gay, bisexual, or lesbian's military service. It was a shared belief by most in and around the military that people who shared in this kind of behavior would undermine the high standards of good order, discipline, morale, and unit cohesion that are the backbone of the military. Since its inception this policy has sparked much debate and controversy over the years. Should the gay community be allowed to serve in the military? The answer should be yes, unfortunately it isn't that simple. Nothing in America's history has been simple or easy, especially on issues such as these. In order to understand let's explore the background behind all of this.
Since the Revolutionary War sodomy was frowned upon and automatic grounds for discharge from the military. Back then and still today the military went through a psychiatric screening process, and back then being gay was seen as a disqualifying trait. It was thought of as a kind of mental disease known as psychopathology. In 1957 the U.S. Navy created a study known as the Crittenden Report banished the idea that being gay established a security risk, but it also stated the following: "Homosexuality is wrong, it is evil, and it is to be branded as such" (Jennifer Terry, An American Obsession, 1999, 347). At this point and time there were two types of discharges that were created: "general" and "undesirable". The latter being the one given to any serviceman or woman thought to be gay. In 1960 a woman, thought to be gay, by the name of Fannie Mae Clackum successfully challenged this undesirable discharge and was awarded 8 years of back pay.
