All Publications

Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Detailing the Cost
Dr. Nathaniel Frank | The Palm Center | August 16, 2010

Read the full study here.

Presence of Openly Gay Soldiers in IDF Does Not Undermine Unit Social Cohesion
Danny Kaplan, Amir Rosenmann | Research Report Submitted to the Michael D. Palm Center | June 6, 2010

Highlights: This study examines the correlation between the presence of gay and lesbian soldiers in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and measures of unit social cohesion, following a survey of 417 combat and non-combat male soldiers conducted in 2000, seven years after IDF restrictions on gay personnel were terminated.  The argument that openly gay soldiers could undermine unit cohesion rests on a particular understanding of cohesion as a social factor based on interpersonal emotions between unit members.

Memo for the Pentagon Working Group
By Diane H. Mazur, Legal Co-Director, Palm Center, and Professor of Law, University of Florida, Levin College of Law | April 1, 2010
What Does the Empirical Research Say about the Impact of Openly Gay Service on the Military?
Dr. Nathaniel Frank | March 3, 2010
Gays in Foreign Militaries 2010
Dr. Nathaniel Frank with Dr. Victoria Basham, Geo!rey Bateman, Dr. Aaron Belkin, Dr. Margot Canaday, Dr. Alan Okros, and Denise Scott | February 23, 2010

Twenty-five nations now allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. In many of those countries, debate before the policy changes was highly pitched and many people both inside and outside the military predicted major disruptions, but when inclusive policies were implemented, no more than three people in each country actually resigned.

Recommendations to Pentagon Working Group on Gays in the Military
Palm Center | Palm Center White Paper | February 17, 2010

The Palm Center has released eight key recommendations to the Pentagon Working Group on gays in the military. These recommendations are intended as a first step in providing full support to the Working Group and acknowledging the importance of a thorough and timely process.

Attitudes of Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans Toward Gay and Lesbian Service Members
Bonnie Moradi, Laura Miller | Armed Forces & Society | October 29, 2009

This paper presents additional analysis of the 2006 Zogby Poll commissioned by the Palm Center.  Data indicated no associations between knowing a lesbian or gay unit member and ratings of perceived unit cohesion or readiness.

A Self Inflicted Wound
Aaron Belkin | Palm Center | July 28, 2009
Secretary of Defense Authority to Implement “Don't Ask, Don’t Tell” in a Manner Consistent With National Security
Diane H. Mazur | Palm Center | July 6, 2009
How to End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Aaron Belkin, Nathaniel Frank, Gregory M. Herek, Elizabeth L. Hillman, Diane H. Mazur, Bridget J. Wilson | Palm Center | May 11, 2009

This report addresses political, legal, regulatory, and organizational steps to ensure a smooth end to "don't ask, don't tell."

Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America
Nathaniel Frank | St. Martins Press | March 1, 2009

This book by Palm Center Senior Research Fellow, Nathaniel Frank, presents the latest research and over a decade of evidence on gay service . Forthcoming, 2009.

Military Times Poll Flawed
Nathaniel Frank, Senior Research Fellow | January 13, 2009

Analysis of a December, 2008, a Military Times poll found that 58% of U.S. troops do not want gays and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces. 

"The Importance of Objective Analysis" on Gays in the Military
Jeanne Scheper, Nathaniel Frank, Aaron Belkin, Gary J. Gates | Duke Journal of Gender Law & Policy, Volume 15:419, 2008 | November 10, 2008

In the recent article, “Constructing the Co-Ed Military,” Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, asserts that “nothing has changed that would justify the turmoil that would occur [if DADT were repealed]." Contrary to Donnelly’s assertion, however, much has changed since 1993.

Transgender People in the U.S. Military
Karl Bryant, PhD and Kristen Schilt, PhD | Palm Center White Paper | August 20, 2008

This paper reports findings from a survey of transgender service
members and veterans designed and administered by the Transgender
American Veterans Association (TAVA).

Report of the General/ Flag Officers' Study Group
General/Flag Officers Study Group | Palm Center Whitepaper | July 28, 2008

July 2008 - A bipartisan study group of senior retired military officers, representing different branches of the service, conducted an in-depth assessment of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.