Gays in the Military

By sturnadzic

  • The Colony of Virginia

    The Colony of Virginia passes a military order that makes male sodomy illegal and punishable by death in the military.

  • Lieutenant Gotthold Frederick Enslin

    Lieutenant Gotthold Frederick Enslin is the first man dismissed from the military due to his sexual orientation. He was found guilty of sodomy and kicked out of the Continental Army.

  • The Articles of War of 1916

    The Articles of War of 1806 are revised and a new rule is implemented stating that any person subject to military law who commits "assault with intent to commit sodomy" will be punished.
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    Newport Sex Scandal

    Under President Roosevelt, the United States Navy sought to uncover and remove gay men from the Navy.

  • Articles of War of 1920

    Congress approves a modified version of the Articles of War which now includes a law making the act of sodomy a crime in itself.

  • Homosexuals unfit for military draft

    The United States Selective Service System describes homosexuality and homosexual practices as disqualifying factors for being drafted into the military.
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    Blue discharges

    Over 10,000 gay men are given "blue dishonorable discharges" from the military for their sexual orientation.

  • Psychopathic personality disorders

    Military psychiatrists claim that homosexuality is a mental disorder and makes an individual unfit for military service. The first formal regulation of homosexuality as a disqualifying characteristic is implemented.

  • The Uniform Code of Military Conduct

    The Uniform Code of Military Conduct is passed. An article within it outlaws all acts of sodomy or sexual relationships with a person of the same sex.

  • Executive Order 10450

    President Eisenhower signs Executive Order 10450. This outlaws any sexual "perversion", or homosexuality, in federal employees.

  • The Crittenden Report

    Written by Captain S.H. Crittenden, the The Crittenden Report states that homosexuals do not pose a security threat to the Navy. This report was denied by the federal courts.

  • The first protests

    The first protests against the treatment of homosexuals in the military happen.

  • Sergeant Leonard Matlovich

    Sergeant Leonard Matlovich, a homosexual officer in the military, sues the Air Force for discharging him. He is featured on Time Magazine with the headline "I Am a Homosexual: The Gay Drive for Acceptance".

  • Department of Defense Directive 1332.14

    The Department of Defense Directive 1332.14 states that "homosexuality is incompatible with military service". It gives the military the right to discharge any individual who engages in homosexual acts.

  • Defense Personnel Security Research and Education Center

    The Defense Personnel Security Research and Education Center support the 1957 Crittenden Report by stating that homosexuals do not raise security risks in the military.
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    Joseph Steffan

    Joseph Steffan was discharged from the U.S. Naval Academy when officials found out he was gay. He sued the Department of Defense and lost the battle years later.

  • Cadet James M. Holobaugh

    Gay Cadet James M. Holobaugh is discharged from the Army and asked to pay back the ROTC scholarship they gave him.

  • Sergeant Perry Watkins

    Sergeant Perry Watkins challenges the homosexual ban in the military by suing the Army for discharging him for homosexuality in 1981 and winning his case.

  • The Government Accounting Office

    The Government Accounting Office releases a report that states over $450,000,000 has been devoted to replacing homosexual servicemen and women.

  • President Bill Clinton

    After a report shows that 17,000+ homosexuals were discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation, Presidential candidate Bill Clinton promises to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military.

  • The Navy Reserves Officers' Training Corps program

    The Navy Reserves Officers' Training Corps program forces their servicemen to sign an oath agreeing with the homosexual ban in the military and promising they will refund any money given to them by the military if they are found to be gay.

  • Don't Ask, Don't Tell

    "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is passed by President Clinton with intent to stop discrimination against homosexuals in the military. It preserves all restrictions on homosexuals in the military but prohibits the questioning of the sexual orientation of servicemen. Still, over 13k military members have been discharged under this law.

  • President Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama announces that he will repeal any laws that prohibit homosexuals from serving openly in the military.

  • "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" modified

    "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is modified; laws are implemented to protect homosexuals better from hidden agendas and accusations.

  • Virginia Phillips

    Virginia Phillips, a U.S. District Judge, rules that "Don't Ask, Don't tell" is unconstitutional. She states that it violates the Fifth and First Amendments of the Constitution.

  • Judge Phillips

    Virginia Phillips attempts to stop "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". However, the Obama administration asks her to put a hold on her rulings as they will disrupt military operations during that time.

  • The Department of Defense

    The Department of Defense states that repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will not affect the military and its effectiveness negatively.

  • Bill H.R. 2965

    The House of Representatives passes bill H.R. 2965, repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

  • Bill S. 4023

    The Senate passes bill S. 4023, repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell",

  • President Barack Obama

    President Barack Obama signs to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

  • Don't Ask, Don't Tell is repealed

    Don't Ask, Don't Tell is officially repealed

  • 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

    The part of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that prevents homosexual couples and families from receiving federal benefits is repealed.

  • Army Regulation 600-443

    The government publishes Army Regulation 600-443, which develops three main categories of homosexuals. Class I are described as aggressive and are subject to a court-martial. Class II are active but non-aggressive and are subject to a dishonorable discharge. Class III consists of men who have homosexual tendencies but have not violated the sodomy law; they can be removed by honorable or general discharge.