Military

LGBTQ+ people have long served in the U.S. military, but for decades under exclusion and forced secrecy. 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' adopted under President Clinton and in effect from 1994 to 2011, let gay, lesbian, and bisexual troops serve only if they hid their identity, while still allowing discharges for those who were found out. Its repeal took effect on September 20, 2011, permitting open service based on sexual orientation. Policy on transgender service members has been far less stable, shifting between open service and outright bans across different administrations and courts. The push for military inclusion also raises broader questions within LGBTQ+ communities about patriotism, militarism, and whether service should be a central goal of liberation.