(Photo Credits: Screengrab from MSNBC’s Official YouTube Account)
Hey, guys! MSNBC Films has a documentary series called “The Turning Point,” and it’s latest episode “Serving in Secret: Love, Country, and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Led by Executive Producer Trevor Noah, this film delves into the enduring history of discrimination against the gay community within the U.S. military, highlighting the personal journey of one couple seeking acceptance.
It’s no secret that the U.S. military’s long history of discrimination against the gay community.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) was a policy implemented by the United States military regarding the service of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. It was introduced in 1993 as a compromise between the military’s ban on homosexual service members and the growing pressure to allow gay individuals to serve openly.
Under DADT, military personnel were not supposed to inquire about the sexual orientation of their fellow service members, and gay individuals were expected to keep their sexual orientation private. If a service member’s sexual orientation became known, and they did not keep it a secret, they could face discharge from the military.
While the policy was seen by some as a step forward because it allowed gay individuals to serve as long as they kept their sexual orientation private, it was criticized by others for perpetuating discrimination and leading to the dismissal of capable and qualified individuals based solely on their sexual orientation.
The policy was controversial and faced challenges over the years. Advocates for the repeal of DADT argued that it was discriminatory and violated the principles of equal treatment. In December 2010, the United States Congress passed legislation to repeal the policy. The repeal took effect in September 2011, allowing gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to serve openly in the U.S. military without fear of reprisal based on their sexual orientation. The repeal marked a significant milestone in the push for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
You can start streaming “Serving in Secret: Love, Country, and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” on Peacock. The production is a collaboration between MSNBC Films, TIME Studios, Day Zero Productions, Sugar23, Mainstay, and JB Productions.
Happy viewing!
Funny thing is, I read somewhere, where the average soldier really wasn’t concerned with “who had their back during combat,” no pun intended either, as it’s not funny.
“Rigidity of stupidity” I just “integrity,” first to thy self and our country can go fuck itself!
Been there done that…
Lost friends to DADT BS
DADT was a logical evolutionary step. It was the most the military (including the White House) could do back in that day. Later repealed, it got the military to the point of accepting acceptance.
Social evolution takes time.
Too much time. It’s what they told Black people back in the day, “just wait.” Good thing we chose not to, the country is better for it, too.
Bullshit. It was the main reason if not the only reason I voted for Clinton back then (1992). He PROMISED a complete repeal. He lied and went back on his promise. All it would have taken was a threat of a presidential executive order just like Obama did in his campaign in 2008. By the end of 2009 congress acted on its own accord to repeal DADT to avoid having Obama to invoke an executive order. The following year of course it was implemented with a total complete repeal.
The REAL problem in the military, that is kept secret, are the amount of pedophiles in the ranks.