About "Don't ask, Don't tell"

Before looking at Editorial cartoons on the policy of "Don't ask, Don't tell", it is important to make sure the content of the policy is clear for the viewers. Here is a summary of a definition found on encyclopedia.com:

• "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" is the actual name of the policy, although "Don't Pursue" is almost always omitted.

"Service personnel may be discharged for homosexual conduct but not simply for being gay. Therefore, military commanders do not ask military personnel about their sexual orientations or begin an investigation except upon the receipt of 'credible information' of homosexual conduct".

• Soldiers cannot be discharged just because of their sexual orientation, but they can be for homosexual conduct.

So what is all the controversy about gays not being able to serve openly in the military? Well, here's the thing:

• If a gay man or lesbian woman publicly announces his/her sexuality it is considered an intent to engage in homosexual activity.

So under this policy, admitting to sexual orientation is the same as actually engaging in homosexual conduct.


Source:
Poe, Cynthia R.. ""Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Dictionary of American History. The Gale Group Inc. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 29 Oct. 2009 .