Congress Examines 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Feb. 25 - KGO (KGO) -- Congress will take on the issue of gays in the military this week, and the controversial policy that allows gays to serve as long as they don't disclose their sexuality.

Eleven-thousand people have been discharged from the military under "Don't ask, don't tell." But now that the Democrats control Congress, those who want to repeal the policy say it's time to reignite real debate over this issue.

Steve Boeckels of San Francisco graduated from West Point 10-years ago. He eventually became a first lieutenant. But in May of 2000, Boeckels realized he could no longer serve in the military.

Steve Boeckels: "Living under 'Don't ask, don't tell,' living under a double life, you know, shattered my self-esteem, and made me feel like I was a second-class citizen serving in the military."

"Don't ask, don't tell" was a compromise under the Clinton administration that essentially allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military, as long as they keep their sexuality secret. But this week, a bipartisan group in Congress will introduce legislation to overturn the 14-year old policy.

Rep. Gary Ackerman (D) New York: "For some reason, the military seems more afraid of gay people than they are against terrorists. If the terrorists ever got a hold of this information, they'd get a platoon of lesbians to chase us out of Baghdad."

But beyond the joking, many argue that because of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the military can no longer afford to turn people away.

Others point out public opinion has shifted. In 1993, only 44-percent of Americans supported letting gay and lesbian troops serve openly. In 2004, 63-percent supported their serving openly.

Despite those numbers, retired Army Lt. Colonel Bob McGuiness says public sentiment on this issue is irrelevant.

Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis, U.S. Army (Ret.): "The bottom line for the military is, is this a policy change that's going to help promote combat effectiveness? I see no evidence of that."

Evidence or not, Steve Boeckel says the time for change is now.

Steve Boeckels: "I think what it is, is it's an issue that affected people from an older generation."

The legislation will be introduced on Wednesday. Not only would it repeal the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, it would also allow anyone kicked out as a result of it to reapply for military duty.

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