Henry Brown dances around 'don't ask, don't tell' policy

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Friday December 11, 2009 · 10:30 AM PST

2009/12/11 · 10:30

U.S. Congressman Henry Brown gives a non-response response in regards to our Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

Dear Mr. Sanderson:

Thank you for contacting me about the Department of Defense's (Do D) policy of allowing homosexuals who keep their sex lives private, or "don't ask, don't tell." As a staunch advocate for our nation's military, I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this matter.

In 1993, Congress passed a law that the House, Senate and President Clinton thought would be a compromise between the Pentagon's stated policy of homosexuality's "incompatibility" with military service and allowing openly homosexual persons to serve. Instead of completely reversing the ban on service in the military by homosexuals, "don't ask, don't tell" dictates that the Armed Forces will no longer ask recruits about their sexual orientation, but that service members who engage in homosexual acts or who publicly announce their homosexuality will face discharge.

Since then, this principle has been the current practice in all branches of our nation's Armed Forces. However, many feel that this policy either didn't go far enough by not completely repealing the ban, or was contradictory because it both affirmed that "homosexuality is incompatible with military service" and tacitly allowed homosexuals to serve if they kept their sexual practices private.

President Barack Obama said during his campaign that he would make repealing this policy a goal, but has yet to take any action. In the 111th Congress, legislation entitled the Military Readiness Enhancement Act has been introduced that would repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and also end the military's ban of homosexuals. This legislation has yet to be considered by the House Armed Forces Committee. While we continue to monitor this issue, please know that I will keep your thought in mind as we work during the 111th Congress.

To get regular updates from my office sent to you by e-mail, please visit http://brown.house.gov/...

I am honored to serve you in Congress and I look forward to hearing from you on other matters of interest or concern.

Sincerely,

Henry E. Brown, Jr.
Member of Congress

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