Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass
The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass" policy requires gay, lesbian and bisexual service members to keep their sexual orientation secret and refrain from same-sex sexual conduct. The military is banned from asking questions about a service member's sexual orientation, and significant restrictions are placed on commanders seeking to investigate the possibility that a service member may be gay. Anti-gay harassment is prohibited under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," as are "witch hunts" and certain other invasive investigations that have been used over the years to root out gay, lesbian and bisexual service members.
Under the current policy, service members may be investigated and administratively discharged if they:
- make a statement that they are lesbian, gay or bisexual;
- engage in physical contact with someone of the same sex for the purposes of sexual gratification; or
- marry, or attempt to marry, someone of the same sex.
