"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was a policy implemented by the United States military in 1993, which prohibited openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals from serving in the armed forces. Under this policy, service members were not required to disclose their sexual orientation, but they could be discharged if their orientation became known. The policy aimed to balance the military's need for unit cohesion with the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. However, it faced significant criticism for perpetuating discrimination and preventing service members from being honest about their identities. It was officially repealed in 2011, allowing for open service by LGBTQ+ individuals in the military.