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 SymonsThey went into the closet to serve their country. Now they're coming out to challenge it.
Watch TrailerASK NOT is a rare and compelling exploration of the effects of the US military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. A provocative portrait of bravery amidst exclusion, ASK NOT reveals the personal stories of Americans willing to risk their lives for a country that criminalizes the act of coming out. Current and veteran gay soldiers reveal how "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" affects them during their tours of duty as they struggle to maintain a double life, uncertain of whom they can trust. The film also explores how gay veterans and youth organizers are turning to forms of personal activism to overturn the policy. From a national speaking tour of conservative universities to protests at military recruitment offices, these public events question how the United States military can claim to represent democracy and freedom while denying one segment of the population the right to serve. Interspersed with these principal storylines, the film reveals rare archival footage and key historical interviews with policy experts to explain the history and implementation of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." ASK NOT provokes thoughtful dialogue about the merits of banning those who are honest about their identities from serving their country.
'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
- 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
- Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
- Queens Museum of Art, Queens, NY
- Seattle International Film Festival
- Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Missoula, MT
- OUTFEST, Los Angeles
- 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
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