Primary Sources: Military History: LGBT

"The article presents a speech by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper, delivered at the Intelligence Community Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Allies Summit for the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Maryland on March 19, 2014. Topics include his experience with the U.S. military's policy on homosexuality, the campaign to overturn the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and his efforts to make the Intelligence Community more accepting."

Col James A. Donovan, USMC(Ret) to President Bill Clinton regarding homosexuals in the military.

"The article presents a speech by recording artist Lady Gaga, delivered at a September 20, 2010 rally in Portland, Maine in which the Lady comments on the morality of the U.S. military policy of "don't ask, don't tell" concerning a soldier's sexual orientation, respect for both gay and straight soldiers, and homophobia."

Speech by President Bill Clinton

by President Barack Obama

"In an interview, Gov Pete Wilson (R-CA) discusses whether he will run for President in 2000. He favors legality of abortion and flatter taxes and opposes women in combat and homosexuals in the military. "

"Life in the armed services had a long-lasting impact on America’s homosexual population. Far from home, many gay men and lesbian women felt less social pressure to conform to heterosexual social norms, and the need for manpower made the military somewhat more tolerant of homosexual men and women in its ranks (although it still purged many gay and lesbian soldiers). Many who first expressed their sexual orientation during the war later became pioneers in the gay and lesbian rights movement. This towel advertisement was one of a series published during 1943–44 that framed its sales-pitch in homoerotic imagery inspired by purported testimony from G.I.s overseas. The ads, which are sexually ambiguous, suggest how the same-sex environment in the military afforded young men, both gay and straight, with opportunities for sexual self-discovery." GMU History Matters