A draft report by a Defense Department study group says homosexuals trying to join the military have stronger qualifications and fewer problems in their backgrounds than their heterosexual counterparts.
"These results appear to be in conflict with conceptions of homosexuals as unstable, maladjusted persons," the report by the Defense Personnel Security Research and Education Center concludes. The center analyzes what kind of people can be trusted with classified information.The report, conducted early this year, was leaked to members of Congress who want the Pentagon to reverse its policy against allowing gays and lesbians into the military.
U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, D-Mass., an avowed homosexual, gave a copy Friday to The Associated Press.
The report compares the background records of 166 gays and lesbians who entered the military and were subsequently discharged because of their sexual preference with those of heterosexuals who were in the military.
"The preponderance of the evidence presented indicates that homosexuals show preservice suitability-related adjustment that is as good or better than the average heterosexual," the report's author, Michael A. McDaniel concludes.
The 23-page report looked at school conduct records, thinking skills, adjustment to military life and substance abuse. Homosexuals performed better in all except the drug and alcohol abuse categories.
The report cautioned that relatively few homosexuals were surveyed in the report compared with some 42,000 heterosexuals. "Less confidence should be placed in conclusions drawn from small samples," McDaniel said.
One argument against homosexuals in the military it that they pose security risks because someone could use the threat of exposure to blackmail them into spying. Studds said that removing discrimination would remove the problem.