Steve Estes
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- July 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780807831151
- eISBN:
- 9781469604770
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of North Carolina Press
- DOI:
- 10.5149/9780807889855_estes.11
- Subject:
- History, Military History
The official ban on openly gay and lesbian military service involves a policy that has continually evolved, best exemplified by the passage of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” under President Bill Clinton. ...
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The official ban on openly gay and lesbian military service involves a policy that has continually evolved, best exemplified by the passage of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” under President Bill Clinton. The ban has long been the subject of a contentious debate among men and women in the military, as well as the courts and the federal government. Gay and lesbian veterans who saw honorable and open service in the military as a foundation for other civil rights began to speak out. One of them was Leonard Matlovich, an air force sergeant who challenged the ban on gays in the military in 1975. This chapter presents interviews with four of the gay and lesbian soldiers who challenged the policy banning homosexuals from joining the armed forces.Less
The official ban on openly gay and lesbian military service involves a policy that has continually evolved, best exemplified by the passage of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” under President Bill Clinton. The ban has long been the subject of a contentious debate among men and women in the military, as well as the courts and the federal government. Gay and lesbian veterans who saw honorable and open service in the military as a foundation for other civil rights began to speak out. One of them was Leonard Matlovich, an air force sergeant who challenged the ban on gays in the military in 1975. This chapter presents interviews with four of the gay and lesbian soldiers who challenged the policy banning homosexuals from joining the armed forces.
Andrew E. Stoner
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- January 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780252042485
- eISBN:
- 9780252051326
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5622/illinois/9780252042485.003.0013
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Gay and Lesbian Studies
Shilts turns his attention to the struggle for gays and lesbians to remain in active duty for the U.S. military. Shilts highlights the struggles of Edward Modesto, Leonard Matlovich and Margarethe ...
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Shilts turns his attention to the struggle for gays and lesbians to remain in active duty for the U.S. military. Shilts highlights the struggles of Edward Modesto, Leonard Matlovich and Margarethe Cammermeyer (among others) amidst gay purges. Shilts examines efforts to repeal the gay ban in the run-up to the Persian Gulf War. Shilts traces the history of the ban military ban to include the heart-breaking story of Thomas Dooley. The issue of outing is explored with Shilts in opposition to more radical opinions that closeted persons (especially those in positions of power) should be outed. Writing process for “Conduct Unbecoming” is explored as Shilts battles life-threatening health episodes as his HIV status advances to an AIDS diagnosis.Less
Shilts turns his attention to the struggle for gays and lesbians to remain in active duty for the U.S. military. Shilts highlights the struggles of Edward Modesto, Leonard Matlovich and Margarethe Cammermeyer (among others) amidst gay purges. Shilts examines efforts to repeal the gay ban in the run-up to the Persian Gulf War. Shilts traces the history of the ban military ban to include the heart-breaking story of Thomas Dooley. The issue of outing is explored with Shilts in opposition to more radical opinions that closeted persons (especially those in positions of power) should be outed. Writing process for “Conduct Unbecoming” is explored as Shilts battles life-threatening health episodes as his HIV status advances to an AIDS diagnosis.
Andrew E. Stoner
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- January 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780252042485
- eISBN:
- 9780252051326
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Illinois Press
- DOI:
- 10.5622/illinois/9780252042485.003.0015
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Gay and Lesbian Studies
Shilts begins to offer his first writing at length about the experience of lesbian women via “Conduct Unbecoming.” Shilts’s new book further unpacks cultural beliefs about the roles of men and women ...
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Shilts begins to offer his first writing at length about the experience of lesbian women via “Conduct Unbecoming.” Shilts’s new book further unpacks cultural beliefs about the roles of men and women in society, and aspects of masculinity and femininity. U.S. military policy toward HIV testing is reported. While mainstream reviews of Shilts’s “Conduct Unbecoming” are favorable, LGBT leaders continue to question Shilts’s elevation as a “leader” or representative of the gay community. Shilts personally addresses the thin line he has walked between journalist and advocate for the issues he has covered.Less
Shilts begins to offer his first writing at length about the experience of lesbian women via “Conduct Unbecoming.” Shilts’s new book further unpacks cultural beliefs about the roles of men and women in society, and aspects of masculinity and femininity. U.S. military policy toward HIV testing is reported. While mainstream reviews of Shilts’s “Conduct Unbecoming” are favorable, LGBT leaders continue to question Shilts’s elevation as a “leader” or representative of the gay community. Shilts personally addresses the thin line he has walked between journalist and advocate for the issues he has covered.
