|
What is the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy?
In 1993, the US congress enacted a policy called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Basically, it claims
that if you don't reveal your sexual orientation publicly, the military will not ask you for that
information. Their compliance with this policy has been less than exemplary and discharges
of personnel increased each year up until some of the recent military actions necessitated
partial stop-loss orders.
For full details on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", visit the Service Members Legal Defense Network
site.
I'm a member of the US military. What can I do to minimize my exposure to violating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?
Here's a quick list:
- Do not use your real last name. You can change your name on the
Edit Basic Profile page.
- Use an email address for Connexion that is not known to any member of the service.
- Do not use anything resembling your true name either as part of your chat name or as part of your personal URL.
- Make sure that your profile is set up only to be viewable by members. That can be changed on
the Privacy page in the Account Setting area.
- Do not use the name of your military base as your location. And do not use it's zip code
to indicate where you live. You can change your location on the Edit Location page.
- Do not use a .mil email address for your Connexion profile. This also means that you should not have the address
you use here forward to a .mil email address.
- Do not use military keywords (like "military", "army", "navy", marines", etc.) anywhere in your profile. This includes in
your chat name, your personal URL, your occupation or in the About Me section of your profile.
- Unless you are straight, do not say anything in your profile about your sexual orientation or imply that you are looking for sex
or a relationship with someone of the same gender.
- Do not use a government computer to access your Connexion account. And do not access your account during duty hours.
- When you have finished with a session, erase your cookies and history on any computer to which other members
of the military have access.
- Do not consent to a search of your non-government personal computer without speaking with a defense attorney first.
In general, the government needs a search warrant to search and/or seize information from a private computer that is not on-base.
- Never save files containing private information or identifying lesbian, gay or bisexual friends on your personal computers or disks
especially if you live on-base.
- In the past, there have also been attempts to bait gay service members. Never assume that someone
is who they claim to be when they are on-line.
- If you are excessively concerned, do not post a face pic on the site (this also means that you
should not get certified since that requires a face pic). Nor should you show photos with a distinguishing mark
such as a tatoo.
And don't forget that if you are being investigated, Article 31 gives you the right to remain silent.
What can I do to keep updated on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"? How can I work to change this outrageous
policy?
The most active organization in this area is Service Members Legal Defense Network.
Visit their web site to check the policy's status. Contact them about your situation and ask what they advise. And
most importantly, contribute some money to help make them a strong advocate for your rights.
|
