Transcript of proceedings from March 2007 Harvard conference on legal issues related to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy regarding military service members. There were several panel discussions among activists, legal scholars, military veterans and advocates. Topics include the impact of Lawrence v. Texas and the degree of judicial deference to the military concerning personnel policies.

How much money does it cost to replace homosexual service members who are separated under the military’s homosexual conduct policy? Two recent reports attempted to answer this question, and drew dramatically different conclusions. The Comptroller General of the United States, David M. Walker, prepared this report to explain the difference between the two reports. The first report, released in 2005 by GAO, estimated the costs from 1994-2003 at $190.5 million. The second report, released in 2006 by the University of California Blue Ribbon Commission, estimated costs for the same period at $363.8 million. Mr. Walker explains that the Commission’s estimate was larger because it included training costs for Marines, medical workers, and officers, and the cost of separation travel. Also, the Commission included infrastructure costs, which the GAO claims is a constant figure regardless of the number of enlistees who complete their contracts.

This article provides an overview of the DADT policy, emphasizing its practical impact on gay service members and their families. It addresses questions of employee benefits, recognition of same-sex relationships, adoption of children and same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. It argues that DADT damages LGBT service members, their units and the nation’s security.