PBS' Independent Lens series
airs Director Johnny Symmon's 2008
documentary that explores the military's ban on open gay service, Ask
Not.
The film, which
premiered last June at the Provincetown International Film Festival,
focuses its lens on the true national and human costs of “don't
ask, don't tell,” the 1993 law conceived as a compromise by the
Clinton administration that prescribes discharge as the remedy for
gay and lesbian service members who do not remain closeted or
celibate. Since then, 12,000 GLBT soldiers have been discharged
under the policy.
Ask Not
delivers compelling reasons on the failure of the policy – a group
of young gays attempt to enlist openly, interviews with veterans
expose hidden flaws, and a video diary from a closeted soldier as he
heads off to Iraq vividly unmasks the pain of the policy – making
it a must see film.
During the
campaign, President Obama promised gay and lesbian supporters he
would repeal the law.
Since
then, gay groups have grown disillusioned with the president who
insists he's a “fierce gay advocate” but hesitates to engage on
the issue. The
president could halt discharges with an executive order, gay groups
say.
Ask Not premieres
on PBS starting Tuesday, check your local listings for exact time.
Gay
Entertainment Report is a feature of On Top Magazine
and can be reached at ontopmag@ontopmag.com.