The brutal murder of Alan R. Schindler Jr. on 27th October 1992 revealed the harsh realities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the military. Schindler, a young Navy radioman, who suffered bullying and isolation due to his sexual orientation, had attempted to report the harassment, but faced obstacles due to the military’s exclusionary policies on gay personnel. Tragically, his life was cut short when two shipmates attacked him in a homophobic assault, sparking a wave of public outrage.

Occurring shortly before Bill Clinton’s presidential election, the incident catalysed public debate on the military’s treatment of homosexuals. Clinton’s inclusive vision met strong resistance, and, as a compromise, he introduced the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, which allowed LGBTQ+ service members to remain in the military - as long as they did not openly disclose their sexuality.

In this episode Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how this seemingly progressive policy nonetheless forced LGBTQ+ personnel to continue to hide their identities; consider how the outlook changed after President Obama repealed DADT in 2011; and reveal the role General Colin Powell had in creating the policy…

CONTENT WARNING: homophobic violence, description of murder

Further Reading:

• ’Homosexual Sailor Beaten to Death, Navy Confirms : Crime: Gay-bashing may be motive, activists and family members say. They charge cover-up by military’ (Los Angeles Times, 1993): https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-09-mn-1001-story.html

• ‘Once Banned, Then Silenced: How Clinton's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy Affected LGBTQ Military’ (HISTORY, 2018):

https://www.history.com/news/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-compromise

• ’Mission Possible: The Story of Repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ (CAMP Rehoboth, 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6evO4jn2SQE

This episode first aired in 2024

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The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2025.

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