Appropriate for: High School College/University
Special Features:
DVD contains both 54-minute broadcast version (with optional subtitles in English) and 73-minute theatrical version. Extras include trailer, links, and academic resources.
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Ask Not
by Johnny SymonsThe definititve story of the history and activism behind "don't ask, don't tell."
Watch TrailerAward-winning PBS documentary ASK NOT is a compelling exploration of the history and effects of the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The film exposes the tangled political battles that led to the discriminatory law, and profiles courageous activists who fought for repeal. Discharged soldier Alex Nicholson was the only named plaintiff in the federal lawsuit that sparked national attention and pushed the U.S. government toward a speedy decision to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell.' ASK NOT traces Alex's story from his South Carolina beginnings to the pioneering national activism that made him a key figure in this fight. The film also includes the gripping video diaries of a gay soldier stationed in Iraq and informative interviews with policy experts, which compellingly illustrate both the political and historical context of the policy as well as the psychological tolls on gay Americans who served in combat under a veil of secrecy.
'ASK NOT' is a great gift. A rigorous and heartfelt look at the true costs of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, the film gives voice to men and women who too often can't be heard.
Dr. Nathaniel Frank, New York University, Author of "Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America"
Timely and balanced... a strong, serious effort at mixing a discussion of civil rights and a look at Americans forced to choose between love for their country and love for another human being.
Tony Perry
Los Angeles Times
The film is poignant and thought provoking and would lend itself to a very solid discussion about discrimination and the rights of the individual in the military.
Barbara Pickell, Clearwater P.L., Florida
Library Journal
full review
Three storylines are woven together to present a cohesive argument as to why DADT should be eliminated...Clips from politicians, activists, and scholars help ground the storylines in the contemporary social situation and the historical context.
Judith E. Rosenstein, Assistant Professor of Sociology, United States Naval Academy
Teaching Sociology
Compelling politics, compelling stories, compelling film--and a compelling case that 'Don't Ask' undermines the very national security that proponents of the gay ban claim to defend.
Michael Sherry, Richard W. Leopold Professor of History, Northwestern University
AWARDS & SCREENINGS:
- PBS national broadcast, Independent Lens
- Special screening for U.S. Congress, Capitol Hill
- The New York Times, TimesTalks special screening
- Golden Gate Award Nominee, San Francisco International Film Festival
- Audience Choice Award for Best Film, Spokane LGBT Film Festival
- American Sociological Association, 2009 Annual Meeting Selection
- Audience Award for Best Documentary, OutTakes Film Festival, New Zealand
- United Nations Association Film Festival
- Fort Lauderdale/Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Opening Night Film
- Queens Museum of Art, Queens, NY
- Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
- Seattle International Film Festival
- OUTFEST, Los Angeles
- Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Missoula, MT
- Provincetown International Film Festival
- Nashville International Film Festival
- Cleveland International Film Festival
- PBS Community Cinema selection, with community screenings in 50+ US cities
Resource Web Sites
Unfriendly Fire: How the Gay Ban Undermines the Military and Weakens America
This 2009 book is an excellent and thoroughly researched examination of the history and impact of the "don't ask don't tell" policy, and makes an outstanding academic companion piece to ASK NOT.
The Palm Center, a think tank at the University of California, Santa Barbara, produces scholarship designed to enhance the quality of public dialogue about critical and controversial public policy issues. Since 1998, the Center has been a leader in commissioning and disseminating research in the areas of gender, sexuality, and the military.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT).
Servicemembers United is a non-partisan and non-profit organization whose primary goals are 1) to engage in education and advocacy on issues affecting gay and lesbian troops and veterans; 2) to serve as an associational organization for the gay and lesbian military, veteran, and defense community; 3) to represent the voice of Iraq/Afghanistan-era gay and lesbian troops and veterans; and 4) to forward and inform public debate on the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
A comprehensive website developed by PBS to accompany the national broadcast of ASK NOT, including info on the history of "don't ask, don't tell," the making of the film, the history of African-Americans and women in the military, the film's subjects, and an interactive game.
Get ideas for using ASK NOT to spark a lively classroom discussion with this outstanding 8-page downloadable guide created by PBS.
Resources to Download
Visit the official website for Ask Not
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