A new study released today by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law estimates that there are currently several thousand lesbian, gay, and bisexual soldiers serving in the military, and enforcing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has cost U.S.taxpayers up to more than a half a billion dollars since its inception in 1994.
Study author Dr. Gary J. Gates (no relation to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, we presume) states that, “Despite official policy requiring that lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals remain silent about their sexual orientation, data from the US Census Bureau suggest that an estimated 66,000 gay, lesbian, and bisexual men and women are serving in the US military."
Key findings of the study include:
- An estimated 66,000 lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals are serving in the US military, accounting for approximately 2.2% of military personnel.
- Approximately 13,000 gay, lesbian, and bisexual people are serving on active duty (comprising 0.9% of all active duty personnel) while nearly 53,000 are serving in the guard and reserve forces (3.4%).
- While women comprise only about 14% of active duty personnel, they comprise more than 43% of lesbian and/or bisexual men and women serving on active duty.
- Lifting DADT restrictions could attract an estimated 36,700 men and women to active duty service and 12,000 more individuals to the guard and reserve.
- Since its inception in 1994, the “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell” policy has cost the military between $290 million to more than a half a billion dollars.
- The military spends an estimated $22,000 to $43,000 per person to replace those discharged under DADT.
In other words, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has never worked, and never will.
In the meantime, both Congress and the Pentagon have continued to drag their feet on the issue, despite prompting from President Obama, former U.S. Generals, and Congress to repeal the archaic law.
Click here for for a link to the study.
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Comments
They drum out the "Don't tell" person, but they never take action against the "Don't ask" people, those officers who called them on the carpet in the first place.
Kelvin, you are a great reporter, and your articles are always informative and timely. I thank you for this article especially, and the other ones abot DADT...I think this particular "rule" should have gone out in the dark ages.
IMO, DADT was created to protect LGBTQ soldiers from harm in the military. It's traditionally seen as a hyper-masculine occupation, and there is evidence of past violence. But this type of approach doesn't make it any better because it doesn't encourage acceptance. It needs to go.
Alexis - I did a story a while about a Joseph Rocha, who was tormented by his commanding officer and unit mates for 2 years before finally being forced to admit he was gay while in therapy for PTSD. The officer was promoted, and Rocha was kicked out under DADT. He's one of thousands.
Mela, thank you. I feel an obligation at this point to keep my readers well-informed. When I saw the half-billion dollar price tag of DADT, I was floored, as should the rest of American taxpayers be, particularly with all that is happening now with the lack of trained Arabic translators like Mr. Choi.
Lauren, I respectfully disagree, but I don't think DADT was meant to protect LGBT people in the military at all. It was intended as a compromise measure to allow them to serve without fear of persecution. But it devolved into a gay witch hunt that will be a scarlet letter on this country for years.
There is no greater Army than Gods army of the angels and they may well destroy the United States if we dare give approval to sodomites in the military in clear violation of His laws as specified in the Bible.
@Cindi:
All Christians who don't some day accept Mohammed as prophet will go to hell and die, saith the holy Koran.
WOW a half a billion dollars seeing as though the us spend 605 billion a year on the military i think we can spare that pockect change
I'm 16. I'm a girl. I have a girlfriend now. I want to be in the National Guard when I grow up. I want to be open about myself and not have to hide anything. I want to be able to tell my girlfriend I love her when I leave, not be scared of getting the life beat out of me, or being kicked out. I'm sick of Close minded bigots. Grow up. It shows you have some growing up to do. I like this article. It made me smile, SOME people know how to grow up. Upon reading the comments I began to frown. Many of you need to grow up. There is nothing wrong with it at all. Grow the hell up.
He can be gay all he wants just now while I am in the shower.
First evolution says being gay is not as evolved since one can't pass on your DNA by poking another man the pluming just does not work! THAT is the message Mother Earth is telling us, sorry guys guy is not normal. Survival of the fittest is the way and you will breed (not) yourself out
second just like I don't what a guy in the shower while I am in it checking me out I don't want a lady in the shower checking me out. I don't want to sleep with a guy in the next bed in a 2 person room, just like I don't want a Lesbian who is felling lonely in the next bed. The Army will have to get double the rooms, and bathrooms if they do that sure go ahead and serve
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