I also served prior to DADT and have many queer friends who served before and after. Data backs our observations. Discharges for being gay escalated dramatically by the end of the DADT period. Commanders had a much lower burden of evidence to meet after DADT passed. Things were certainly bad before DADT, but they quickly grew worse after. Sure, I had to lie to join, but I didn't hesitate. I felt and continue to feel no moral compunction to comply with laws or rules that oppress me. Many of my military colleagues in that day felt the same. Eventually voluntarily left The service because I was worried about One of my routine security-clearance polygraphs. I was asked if I was gay, I lied, and I failed the question. Nothing of consequence happened after, but it was a Sword of Damocles hanging over my head.

Before DADT, failing that question could have destroyed my career because I had to have a security clearance to do my job. After DADT, it could have been used as evidence to discharge me. That's a marked worsening.