Don't Ask Don't Tell--Impact On Black Lesbian Couples

Enough is enough on the "Don't Ask-Don't Tell policy in the military. The U.S. military cannot meet it's quotas. Yet we have willing and able gay/lesbian/bisexual citizens willing to serve. But they are out if their sexuality is disclosed. Think of many more are ready and willing to serve but don't because of the discriminatory policy. The costs of getting rid of admitted homosexuals is high, see article on this in earlier post. So, the U.S. goes with a skelton military, already overstretched that could be relieved by elimination of this idiotic policy. Here, The Task Force relases information of the impact of this policy on a very personal level by providing statistics on Lesbian Women Of Color and the devastating effects of the policy. Clearly a call for the Bush adminsistration to end this stupidity and have our military forces at the desirable level. If not, the draft is inevitable. Why not put prejudice aside for the sake of protecting our homeland?? The Task Force PRESS RELEASE:

March 23, 2005
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Provides Testimony In Support of New York City Council Resolution 438, Which Calls Upon the U.S. Congress to Overturn the Military's "Don"t Ask, Don"t Tell" Policy.


In Honor of Women's History Month, Jason Cianciotto, Research Director of the Task Force Policy Institute, cites data from 2000 U.S. Census on Black Lesbian Military Veterans


New York, NY, March 23, 2005 — The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force joined key gay, lesbian, and bisexual military veteran's organizations yesterday to testify before members of the New York City Council in favor of a resolution calling upon Congress and President Bush to overturn the U.S. Military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy." Among the groups and individuals represented were the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), and several openly gay and lesbian retired military officers.

Jason Cianciotto, Research Director of Task Force Policy Institute, delivered testimony in favor of the resolution, citing data from the 2000 U.S. Census to show how black lesbians and their families are disproportionately impacted by the policy. The following is a summary of his comments.

Since 1993, researchers and policy analysts have consistently documented the tragedy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." I am here today to draw from that body of knowledge in support of the repeal of this discriminatory policy.

Given that March is Women's History Month, I will focus on the under-researched plight of lesbian women of color who have chosen to serve their country in the military. Over the past year, The Task Force Policy Institute has analyzed data from the 2000 U.S. Census on black same-sex households, including incidence of military service among this segment of our community. According to the Census, black women serve their country at a very high rate relative to other women. In fact, black women in same-sex households report that they are military veterans at eleven times the rate of all women nationwide, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Consider what happens when a black women is discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." We know from our analysis of 2000 census data, for example, that black women in same-sex households are parenting at almost the same rate as black married opposite-sex households. How does the loss of a steady income, health benefits, and the promise of a secure retirement affect them and their children? Lesbian women of color are serving their country at disproportionately high rates, but are receiving far less in return.

The efficacy and impact of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has been well researched and documented. Based on this information, 79% of Americans--and even a majority of enlisted service members--now support lifting the ban. It is time for President Bush, Congress and the Department of Defense to honor and respect the estimated 65,000 lesbian, gay, and bisexual military personnel who are currently serving by repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."