ELI5: What is Don't Ask Don't Tell?

Imagine you're in a clubhouse where everyone has to follow certain rules.

The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) rule was like this:

• It was a rule in the military (like soldiers, sailors, airmen, etc.) of the United States.
• It meant that the military wouldn't ask soldiers if they were gay or lesbian.
• At the same time, soldiers weren't supposed to tell anyone they were gay or lesbian.

Think of it like this:

• You're wearing a special hat in the clubhouse, but the rule says you can't talk about the hat, and no one can ask you about it.
• If you keep quiet about the hat, you can stay in the clubhouse.
• But if you mention the hat, or someone finds out about it, you get kicked out.

Eventually, after much debate and discussion in politics, DADT was ended. Now, gay and lesbian people can serve openly in the U.S. military without having to hide who they are. The "special hat" can now be talked about.