Gays in the military: Position statement of the American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry

Adolescent Psychiatry,  2002  

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INTRODUCTION TO POSITION STATEMENT

The following statement is a revision of a statement passed before the U.S. military instituted its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in 1993. Although "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" represented a softening of the military's attitude, it perpetuated a requirement for secrecy and the hiding of one's identity-modes of operation that are hardly conducive to healthy emotional functioning. In addition, this policy is still discriminatory, as it imposes requirements on homosexual men and women that are not applied to heterosexuals. Last, antihomosexual bias continues to be prevalent among the ranks of the military's leadership and enlisted personnel, and anecdotal reports suggest that incidents of harassment and violence against gays are common (Rostker, Harris, and Study Group Directors, 1993). In light of these indications of continuing anti-homosexual bias in the armed forces, the American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry believes that a reissuing of its call for an end to discrimination against gays in the military is timely.

Gays in the Military

A Position Statement of the American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry

Passed by the House of Delegates, March 22, 2001

Whereas it is known that there is no connection between sexual orientation and work performance, and that the military of other nations that freely admit homosexuals into their ranks have not experienced intragroup conflict, be it resolved that the American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry is opposed to any ban or hindrance to membership in the U.S. Armed Services based on sexual orientation.

The American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry is a professional organization of psychiatrists devoted to the study of adolescence and to the psychiatric treatment of adolescents and young adults. Our work offers us an intimate and helpful understanding of many of the issues that are involved in a reconsideration of present policy banning openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the military.

We recognize that the military's primary responsibility is to defend national interests and that other considerations must remain secondary to this mission. But our society has come to realize that considerations of social justice are not incompatible with the primary mission of the military. In the past, it was argued that racial integration would undermine our armed services' morale and military preparedness. Instead, the experience of racially desegregating the military, achieved during the Truman administration, has clearly facilitated the equality of opportunity for all Americans that our founding fathers envisioned. Just as the national defense was enhanced rather than hindered by this farsighted decision of President Truman, we believe that the same will be true of lifting the ban on gay men, lesbians, and bisexual individuals who are open about their sexuality.

The American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry recommends that the policies of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the ban on openly homosexual individuals in the military be discontinued without further delay. Our position is based on several facts:

1. Sexual orientation, whatever its origins may be, is not a matter of simple choice, nor is it readily amenable to change.

2. Gay men and women are capable of performing all the duties that are required of comparable groups of heterosexual persons.

3. If handled with a clear policy statement from superior officers (as was done for the issue of racial integration), proper educational efforts, and support for the privacy of all whenever possible, there need not be undue distress caused for heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual individuals in the military. Several studies in the United States as well as the experience of several allied nations indicate that the legitimate mission of the armed forces will not be compromised.

4. Clear distinctions must be drawn between sexual orientation and private behavior, on one hand, and unacceptable public harassing or exploitative behavior, on the other hand-be it of a homosexual or heterosexual nature.

5. Discrimination against homosexuals is a major factor interfering with their psychological development and adjustment. As such, it leads to stress and subsequent emotional complications that are not in the military's or the nation's best interest.

REFERENCE

Rostker, B. D., Harris, S. A. & Study Group Directors (1993), Sexual Orientation and U.S. Military Personnel: Policy, Options, and Assessment (MR-323-OSD). Santa Monica, CA: RAND. Available: www.rand.org/publications/RB/RB7537. Accessed May 1, 2001.

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