Despite the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, military discharges for gay men and lesbians reached their highest point of 850 in 1996. Since May, the Pentagon has been reviewing the policy, which permits gay men and lesbians to serve in the armed forces as long as they do not reveal their sexual orientation or engage in sexual activity. The policy also prohibits the military from questioning service members about their orientation; however, gay men and lesbians have charged military commanders with asking people about their orientation and instigating “witch hunts” against gay men and lesbians. Defense Department spokeswoman Monica Aloisio explained the Pentagon’s review focuses on the enforcement of the policy, not the policy itself.
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