Amazing, isn't it that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has been in effect now for over fifteen years? As good an article as any I have seen, during the years since I first met Jose Zuniga, who was named the Sixth Army's 1992 "Soldier of the Year." Emboldened by his status as "Soldier of the Year," and wanting to test the recently enacted policy, Zuniga came out publicly--and was promptly discharged. What an enormous, and ridiculous, waste.

This is probably the last article from D Parvaz for a while because she leaves the P.I. for Harvard on a 10 month fellowship. Here she discusses the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that serves prejudice very well and the military very poorly. Consensual same-sex activity offends authorities and is subject of congressional hearings. It is also grounds for discharge and other penalties. Yet, comparatively little attention is paid to the larger problem of sexual assault by men against women in the military. Parvaz says a shocking 41% of female soldiers have been sexually assaulted. She explores this hypocrisy and notes the destructive effects of anti-gay policies, which have removed personnel with exemplary records, including those ... More »

The editorial uses facts, irony, and humor to communicate the ridiculousness of the homophobia of the current policies.

This article is very upfront about the issue. Easy reading.