Palm Center

Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Detailing the Cost
August 16, 2010

Read the full study here.
Presence of Openly Gay Soldiers in IDF Does Not Undermine Unit Social Cohesion
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
April 1, 2010
What Does the Empirical Research Say about the Impact of Openly Gay Service on the Military?
March 3, 2010
Gays in Foreign Militaries 2010
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
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
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
July 28, 2009
Secretary of Defense Authority to Implement “Don't Ask, Don’t Tell” in a Manner Consistent With National Security
July 6, 2009
How to End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
May 11, 2009

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

MIXED MESSAGES FROM JUSTICE KAGAN

Much of the opposition to Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court came from her blistering criticism of "don't ask, don't tell." She has called the policy "a profound wrong, a moral injustice

What Does the Empirical Research Say about the Impact of Openly Gay Service on the Military?

Gays in Foreign Militaries 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.

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