"Don't Ask, Don't Tell": A Qualified Defense

Upon the 10th Anniversary of the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, I was asked to reflect upon the policy by Hofstra University. This article presents my remarks at a symposium dedicagted to this topic. The article first reviews in detail the origins of the policy. It then explores the moral debate implicated by the policy, including the traditional arguments against homosexuality with special attention to the natural law, and latitudinarian arguments in favor of homosexuality or opposed to discrimination based on the basis of homosexuality.

The article next surveys contemporary attitudes about homosexuality, focusing on military service by homosexuals. Finally, the article provides a qualified defense of the policy in light of competing moral claims and contemporary attitudes.