New standards, same discriminatory policy

Last week Defense Secretary (and IU alumnus) Robert Gates introduced Pentagon orders to amend the odious and outdated “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. Since it was passed into law in 1993, “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” has led to the dishonorable discharge of more than 13,000 United States soldiers because of their sexual orientation.

The new measures raise the standard of evidence that will be necessary to file a complaint and limits who can assert an accusation of “homosexual conduct.” Anonymous tips will no longer be accepted as grounds for opening an investigation, and only higher level officers will be able to initiate the discharge process. The new protocol also requires that any information given by a third party as part of a fact-finding inquiry be given under oath.

Gates affirmed that these policies are meant only as an interim solution to the problematic law — a law that must be repealed by a notoriously slow congress.

The Defense Secretary has shown remarkable conviction in his desire to uphold principles of justice and fairness within the United States Armed Forces. His announcement should serve as a blaring wake-up call to a legislative body that has “hit snooze” on the issue of gays in the military for too many years.

“Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” was meant to serve as an interim policy intended to create at least some measure of safety for homosexual service members. The law never achieved that aim, as evidenced by the fact that the Pentagon must issue internal orders to minimize the discrimination that the draconian policy has fostered.

Gates stated that the new standards for enforcement of the law would introduce a greater level of “common decency and common sense” into the procedure. It is not a surprise that the Defense Secretary was forced to take independent action, given that the U.S. Congress has often been lacking in both common decency and common sense, especially in regards to providing gay citizens with equal rights. President Obama has recognized the need to repeal the law and called upon Congress to do so at the beginning of his presidency.

The new measures introduced by Gates are a step forward and a valuable indication that the military is ready to change its policies towards gay men and women in the armed forces. If Congress doesn’t act soon, though, it could be another case of an interim measure that outlasts its intended lifespan and practicality. Anything less than a full repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” will be an embarrassment for Congress, especially in light of the opportunity to implement changes under Gates’ leadership.