A new study by Servicemembers United, a group that advocates on behalf of LGBTQ members of the armed forces, shows that while non-white soldiers, sailors, and airmen make up only 31 percent of the armed forces, 45 percent of all servicemembers discharged under the Pentagon’s Dont’ Ask, Don’t Tell policy in 2008 were people of color. Similarly, despite making up only 15% of the armed forces, the study found that 34% of those discharged under DADT in the same period were women.

In a press release, Alexander Nicholson, the executive director of Servicemembers United said:

“We have always known that the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law has a disproportionate impact on women and minorities in the military…These new numbers, however, show that the problem is getting worse and that this policy has ultimately failed. Lawmakers have a responsibility to address this problem immediately, and the President should hasten the appointment of a new Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness who is qualified and willing to deal with this issue.”

However, neither the study, nor the press release included information to support Nicholson’s claim about rates in years past.