Don't Ask, Don't Tell (Roseanne)

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the title of the twenty-second episode of the fifth season of the American television sitcom Roseanne, which originally aired on ABC on May 11, 1993. The episode revolves around the revelation that Roseanne and Jackie's mother, Bev Harris, is a lesbian.

The episode deals with Roseanne and Jackie's conflicting reactions to their mother's coming out. Roseanne struggles with accepting her mother's sexuality, finding it difficult to reconcile with her preconceived notions and the changing dynamics of their family. Jackie, on the other hand, is more accepting and supportive of Bev.

The episode tackles themes of acceptance, homophobia, family relationships, and generational differences in attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals. It marked one of the earlier instances of a primetime television sitcom addressing the topic of lesbianism within a family dynamic in a relatively direct manner. While the episode is primarily a sitcom, it touches upon serious issues and attempts to promote understanding and empathy. The episode's title is a play on the then-current U.S. military policy "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which prohibited openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from serving in the armed forces. The episode uses this reference to highlight the societal pressures faced by LGBTQ+ individuals to remain closeted.