The 1993 “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy was proffered as a compromise that held the promise that would allow gays and lesbians to serve in the military if they did not reveal their sexual orientation.  Established under the premise of discretion and privacy, the policy still barred lesbian, gay, and bisexual people from serving openly in the military. Any service member that reveals his or her homosexuality would be discharged.  However, the policy also ostensibly precluded military officials from investigating soldiers suspected of being homosexual.   Since the enactment of the DADT policy, more than 13,000 individuals have been discharged from the U.S. armed services due to their sexual orientation – a rate similar to before the DADT law.   

America has become an anomaly among westernized nations.   Eighty-five percent of the countries in NATO permit openly lesbian, gay, or bisexual soldiers to serve openly in their militaries.  The Israeli Defense Forces do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.   

The JCPA believes that gay, lesbian, and bisexual personnel should be allowed to openly serve in all branches of the military service subject to the same rules of military conduct that apply to all those who serve. We further believe that any revision of existing policy should involve thorough consultation with military leaders in order to ensure effective implementation.

The community relations field should:

Share

Next Up:

Usury

Take Action Donate

April 15, 2025

BROAD COALITION OF MAINSTREAM JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS RELEASE STATEMENT REJECTING FALSE CHOICE BETWEEN JEWISH SAFETY & DEMOCRACY

April 17, 2025

JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick in The Contrarian: The attack on Shapiro’s home didn’t happen in a vacuum

April 16, 2025

NPR: Trump exploiting antisemitism fears to undermine rule of law, warns Jewish coalition

April 16, 2025

JCPA Condemns Antisemitic Firebombing of Governor Shapiro’s Home

April 15, 2025

NBC News: Some Jewish Americans wrestle with Trump’s sweeping crusade against antisemitism

April 15, 2025

JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick on ABC: Jewish groups speak out against Trump’s targeting of students in name of antisemitism

April 15, 2025

The Hill: Jewish groups condemn ‘false choice’ as Trump targets universities, students

April 14, 2025

JCPA CEO Amy Spitalnick on MSNBC: Political Violence Threatens Jewish Safety and Our Democracy

April 10, 2025

JCPA Responds to DHS Social Media Screening Policy for Immigrants

April 10, 2025

The SAVE Act Would Undermine the Inclusive Democracy That Is Vital to Jewish Safety