Unfriendly Fire How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America

This investigative non-fiction book by Nathaniel Frank delves into the history and consequences of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' (DADT) policy, which banned openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the U.S. military. Frank, a leading expert, uses over a decade of research and hundreds of interviews to expose how DADT, rather than protecting the military, actually increased discharges, hampered recruitment, and lowered morale. The book highlights the moral pitfalls and practical damage, including the discharge of valuable personnel like Arabic translators. It's a detailed, scrupulously documented account suitable for high school students and adults interested in social justice, military history, and government policy.

When the "don't ask, don't tell" policy emerged as a political compromise under Bill Clinton in 1993, it only ended up worsening the destructive gay ban that had been on the books since World War II. Drawing on more than a decade of research and hundreds of interviews, Nathaniel Frank exposes the military's policy toward gays and lesbians.