What policy did President Clinton implement regarding LGBTQ+ individuals in the military?

The policy that President Clinton implemented regarding LGBTQ+ individuals in the military is known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT). Enacted in 1993, this policy allowed gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to serve in the military as long as they did not disclose their sexual orientation, and the military did not inquire about it.

DADT aimed to address the ongoing discrimination and ban of LGBTQ+ individuals in the armed forces while attempting to maintain unit cohesion and morale. It was seen as a compromise at the time, allowing some level of acceptance compared to the outright ban that preceded it. However, the policy was controversial and led to the discharge of thousands of service members over the years due to their sexual orientation, until it was eventually repealed in 2011, allowing service members to serve openly.