Pentagon study dismisses risk of gay troops

Sources: study shows 70 percent of troops believe that repealing the law would have mixed, positive or no effect

Published November 30, 2010 5:29PM (EST)

A Pentagon study on gays in the military has determined that overturning the law known as "don't ask, don't tell" might cause some disruption at first but would not create any widespread or long-lasting problems.

The findings were confirmed by two people familiar with them. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the results hadn't been publicly released.

The study found that 70 percent of troops believed that repealing the law would have mixed, positive or no effect, while 30 percent predicted negative consequences. Opposition was strongest among combat troops, with 40 percent saying it was a bad idea. That number climbs to 46 percent among Marines.

The study found that 92 percent of troops who worked with a gay service member believed their experience to be good, very good or to have had no impact.


By Anne Flaherty

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Don't Ask Don't Tell Lgbt U.s. Military