The policy prohibited people who "demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the armed forces of the United States, because their presence "would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability".
A lei prohibía a calquera que "manifeste a súa tendencia ou tente manter prácticas homosexuais" servir nas forzas armadas dos Estados Unidos, porque "podería crear un risco inaceptable para os altos estándares morais, a boa orde e disciplina, e a cohesión da unidade que é a esencia da capacidade militar."