Recognizing the 10th Anniversary of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Floor Speech
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Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to include in the Record a statement of a constituent of mine, Staff Sergeant Ashley Carothers, who is a veteran of the United States Air Force. Staff Sergeant Carothers served from 2005 to 2013, and thus was subject to the ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy for most of her service. I share her story as we commemorate 10 years since the repeal of ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'' Staff Sergeant Carothers was honorably discharged in 2013 and lives in the District of Columbia.
This is what she has said about her experience:
During my Air Force career, I lived a double life. I was an actress portraying a straight Airman on a stage called life and behind closed doors a very broken human being that desperately just wanted to be herself. I was a lesbian in hiding. I was the Airman that did it all, scored as high as they could on tests, worked to know the job better than the rest and volunteer for everything that I could in hopes that my busy life would never uncover the truth. Behind the curtain I dated but relationships couldn't really completely build because there was always a sense of getting caught especially in a mil to mil relationship. Supervisors constantly questioning you and trying to set you up with the new guy in the shop and always prying into why you constantly denied any male advances. The worst part was the feeling of always being alone while fending off the wolves (male airmen) and dodging sexual harassment and assault as a woman just trying to serve her country. I guess it made me stronger in a weird messed up way as I was able to provide support to others later in my career, support I never had.
While serving in Germany I had the privilege to be one of the chapter leaders for the then-underground organization known as OutServe. Prior to the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell we had a large number of LGBT service members all over the European theater that relied on each other for support and a sense of community. During this timeframe, multiple individuals struggled further with their military leadership as those opposed to the repeal expressed their views verbally, leaving many with anxiety about the future. There were many late-night phone calls trying to be the voice of reason in moments of doubt and desperation when options to turn to mental health professionals were nonexistent for fear of discharge. Not being able to fight for them and speak freely and openly to commands for support damaged individuals beyond repair. If anyone went to speak to a mental health professional and disclosed the fact that they identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual, they would be on the chopping block as they were serving under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. On top of that, many served in career fields that they had to report any visit to a mental health professional, further limiting these individuals who desperately needed assistance. These individuals had no one to turn to and suffered in silence. Most even after the repeal couldn't come out as lesbian, gay or bisexual for fear of mistreatment from their superiors. Some suffered greatly by coming out to their commands, as they had to work twice as hard to prove themselves and were often overlooked for promotion and awards.
Balancing my own life struggles and the struggles of those that looked to me for support was a pretty demanding time in my career. My career and health did suffer, but I often think about what life would have been like if I hadn't been able to give so much or if the military would have just let humans be humans by being their true authentic selves in the first place. The constant jokes, ridicule and mistreatment from superiors hasn't gone away. On this anniversary, I hope that those in charge will finally take the right steps and change the culture.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to share Staff Sergeant Carothers' story and to remember the thousands like her who were harmed by Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
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