A 'More Humane' Don't Ask, Don't Tell? Military Adjusts Approach to Outing Gays

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2010— -- Gays and lesbians serving in the military can now breathe a little easier under longstanding Pentagon policy that prohibits them from disclosing their sexual orientation with threat of discharge.

New guidelines for how the military enforces "don't ask, don't tell" raise the bar on who or what can initiate an inquiry into allegations of misconduct by a gay or lesbian service member.

The modifications will take effect immediately and affect all cases, including open proceedings that must be scrapped and reinitiated under the new rules. But it will not be retroactive.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced the move today, saying the changes will provide "a greater measure of common sense and common decency to a process for handling what are difficult and complex issues for all involved.

"These changes reflect some of the insights we have gained over 17 years of implementing the current law, including a need for consistent oversight and clear standards," Gates said.

The department is raising the level of officers authorized to initiate and conduct inquiries into allegations involving a service member's sexual orientation. It is also tightening what constitutes credible information and a "reliable person" on whose word an inquiry can be initiated.

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Information provided by third parties to military leaders must now be given under oath. The department is also discouraging the use of overheard statements and hearsay.

The new regulations will place "special scrutiny on third parties who may be motivated to harm the service member," Gates said.

Certain categories of confidential information, used in discharge cases under "don't ask don't tell," will now be off limits. Service member conversations with lawyers, clergy, therapists and other medical professionals will remain private.

Gates was joined in the announcement by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen. Both men said they have received support from military leadership and the White House for the changes.

"The changes are unanimously supported" by senior civilian and military leadership, Gates said.