Many people are familiar with the history of LGBT service members in the military.
Few know how this history has shaped current policies towards them. The Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) era is one example of a time when the U.S. government tried to balance both public opinion and its own views on homosexuality in the armed forces. During this period, from 1993 until 2011, gay men and women were required to keep their sexual orientation secret but could be discharged if they did not. This policy was controversial because it seemed to punish those who followed it while simultaneously denying them basic rights such as health care benefits. Today's policies have evolved into more open acceptance of LGBT individuals in uniform, but some may wonder whether historical precedent has influenced these changes.
One way that DADT influenced contemporary policy development for LGBT service members was through changing public perceptions about gays serving openly in the military. Before DADT, there were many false assumptions about what would happen if soldiers came out or were known to be gay.
It was thought that unit cohesion would suffer and morale would decline. It was also believed that gays would take advantage of each other or make unwanted advances upon one another. These ideas were proven wrong during the years after implementation of DADT when no significant impact was found on either measure. Instead, many gays expressed relief at being able to serve honestly without fear of discovery. As attitudes toward homosexuals changed over time, so too did opinions regarding their place within the armed services.
Another influence of DADT on current policy-making comes from lessons learned by the Pentagon itself. At first, officials feared a mass exodus of personnel should gays be allowed to come out, with up to 40% expected to leave immediately according to some estimates.
Only a small percentage actually left when given the option - most likely due to job security concerns or personal reasons rather than sexual orientation alone. The Navy, which experienced higher rates of attrition under DADT than other branches of service, eventually reversed its stance against gays altogether. This shift is an indication that not everyone who serves will necessarily oppose having gay peers and leaders around them; instead, they may simply require adequate training and guidance for how best to interact with these individuals.
Historical precedent has led to increased understanding of LGBT identity in general. Many military members have been forced into silence about their private lives because of institutional policies such as DADT, but they have still managed to become productive soldiers nonetheless. Their stories show that homosexuality is just one aspect of human nature, just like heterosexuality, and can therefore coexist peacefully alongside it within any organization. By recognizing this fact through openness and acceptance, we are better equipped to create positive environments where all people feel comfortable expressing themselves authentically without fear of discrimination or reprisal.
In what ways does historical precedent influence contemporary policy development for LGBT service members?
Historical precedents have had an immense impact on current policy developments concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) military members. The longstanding tradition of discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation has been a key factor influencing the evolution of these policies. Until recently, LGBT individuals were not allowed to serve openly in the United States Armed Forces.