The history of discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people has been an important part of military policy throughout centuries. In many nations, including the United States, homosexuality was considered a criminal act during World War II and even earlier. This meant that openly serving in the military was difficult for those who identified as LGBT.
This is no longer the case today; LGBT service members are now allowed to serve freely in most countries' militaries without fear of prosecution.
Despite these advances, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all service members are treated fairly and equally.
In order to understand how historical policies have shaped contemporary attitudes toward LGBT service members, it is necessary to examine some key moments in US military history. During World War II, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9981 which stated that anyone found guilty of engaging in homosexual conduct or cross-dressing could be discharged from the armed services. While this order was eventually rescinded by President Truman in 1947, it had a lasting impact on the military's attitude towards LGBT individuals. For decades afterward, they were often subjected to harassment and discrimination within their units.
Following this period, in the early 2000s, the US military began to grapple with the question of whether or not to allow openly gay and lesbian soldiers to serve. The debate was contentious and divisive, but ultimately led to the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy in 2011. DADT required service members to remain closeted about their sexuality, even though it did little to actually prevent discrimination against them.
Despite these advancements, there are still many obstacles facing LGBT service members today. In particular, transgender individuals face unique challenges when it comes to serving in the military. Currently, they must meet strict standards for physical fitness and gender conformity before being allowed to enlist.
There is no clear pathway for transitioning while serving without risking discharge.
Historical policies have shaped contemporary attitudes toward LGBT service members in significant ways.
Progress has been made over time as society becomes more accepting of diversity. It will take continued effort from policymakers and advocates to ensure that all service members are treated fairly and equally moving forward.
How do historical military policies continue to shape contemporary attitudes toward LGBT service members?
Historically, there has been much discrimination against LGBT individuals serving in the US Armed Forces due to their sexual orientation and gender identity. This policy was officially changed in 2011 when President Obama signed an executive order that allowed openly gay men and women to serve in the military, but there are still lingering effects from this long history of discrimination.