The incidence of assaults, death threats and verbal gay bashing has more than doubled in the past year. Reports of asking and pursuing are way up. There is a serious lack of accountability. There are serious breakdowns in confidentiality, especially when it comes to doctors and psychologists. For example, Air Force investigators have been instructed to interrogate the family and friends of service members suspected of homosexual activity.
Women are more likely to be discharged for homosexuality than men.
This is consistent with the stereotype held by many service men that women who join the military are whores, lesbians or husband-hunters. Criminal prosecutions of gay service members are down, as more commanders exercise the option of discharging alleged lesbian and gay service members. Growing numbers of service members have tried to get out the services in order to escape harassment by identifying themselves to military officials as being gay. In considering the failures of the policy, it is important to recall the context in which it was adopted. The Administration helped to establish a climate in which overtly anti-gay forces were strengthened.