>> there was even the shameful tour that they did on a submarine showing the sleeping quarters to raise up the ick factor for the american people so that they would then call their members of congress and say, don't do this, don't put our son in danger of being preyed upon, these scary gay people. >> we cannot have the homosexuals wandering around in the military and seducing the younger people. >> that's what they did, and it worked. >> hearings begin today in the senate that could lead to legislation, putting a permanent gay ban into law. >> the president had to back down and ended up coming up with this terrible compromise. don't ask, don't tell. >> the don't ask, don't tell policy would permit gays in the military as long as they don't reveal their homosexuality or engage in homosexual conduct. >> i joined the reserve in 2009. it was late in the don't ask, don't tell era, but it was very much the law of the land.