Bill to Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Introduced in the House

March 3, 2009 - Posted by The Leadership Conference

Petty Officer Allen R. Schindler, who was murdered by two of his shipmates in an anti-gay hate crime in 1992. His murder sparked a national debate over gays and lesbians in the military that led to DADT.

Legislation to repeal a law that bans lesbians and gays from serving openly in the military was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today.

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act will eliminate the current U.S. military policy, known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass" (DADT). The policy prohibits anyone who "demonstrate(s) a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the military, but places limits on when the military can initiate an investigation into an servicemember's sexual orientation.

The percentage of Americans who believe that openly gay and lesbian servicemembers should be allowed to serve in the military has increased from 44 percent in 1993, when DADT was introduced, to 75 percent in 2009. More than 12,500 military servicemembers have been discharged under DADT, costing U.S. taxpayers more than a quarter billion dollars.