News :: GLBT
American Medical Association calls for DADT repeal by Hannah Clay Wareham
Associate EditorTuesday Nov 10, 2009 The American Medical Association (AMA) passed a resolution Nov. 10 calling for a full repeal of "don’t ask, don’t tell" (DADT), the country’s ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military.
"Today, the American Medical Association took a principled stance against a law that clearly has a negative impact on military healthcare, military medical providers, and our troops," said Alexander Nicholson, founder and executive director of Servicemembers United, the organization that worked with the AMA in drafting the resolution. "This is yet another nail in the coffin of the flawed and outdated ’don’t ask, don’t tell’ law, and it should send a strong message to those who continue to blindly claim that this policy works."
The AMA’s main concern is the strain that DADT puts on doctor-patient relationships. Military medical professionals have been forced to "out" their patients in the past under DADT, making many service members fearful of coming out -- and not just about their sexual orientation. Service members may not seek treatment for post-traumatic stress and other damaging psychological conditions for fear of being outed and booted from the military.
"The provider-patient relationship is sacrosanct in the practice of medicine and in the provision of healthcare," said Dr. Alan M. Steinman, a retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral and a member of the Servicemembers United Policy Council. "Virtually all physicians can agree that nothing should impede open and honest communication between a patient and his or her doctor. In this way, ’don’t ask, don’t tell’ threatens the lives and safety of our troops, and it often puts military health professionals in a moral and ethical dilemma."
The resolution has been applauded by several LGBT rights groups. "The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force thanks the American Medical Association for taking these positions today," Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said Nov. 10. "The ’don’t ask, don’t tell’ military ban is good for no one. It is unhealthy for individuals and undermines the nation’s military readiness by discriminating against patriotic men and women who are ready, willing, and able to serve their country."
Also on Nov. 10, the AMA announced that same-sex marriage bans create health disparities for gay and lesbian couples and their children. The measure does not outright oppose gay marriage bans, but lists the inequities suffered by unmarried same-sex couples, including limited access to health insurance and family and medical leave rights.
Both resolutions were decided at the AMA’s interim policy meeting in Houston.
Hannah can be reached at hclaywareham@baywindows.com.
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