What was the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy? What was the penalty for a soldier who violated this policy? What is the current status of the policy?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Describe the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which stated that the military would not ask about the sexual orientation of soldiers, but that soldiers could not tell others if they were gay or lesbian. Therefore, gays and lesbians could serve in the military, but only if they remained "in the closet."
2. Note that gay and lesbian soldiers who revealed their sexual orientation could be discharged from the military.
3. Note that Barack Obama signed a law eliminating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and opening the door for gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.