Gay troops cheer ‘don't ask, don’t tell’ court ruling (WashingtonPost)
Gay U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan said Thursday that a federal appeals court order to stop enforcement of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy puts them one step closer to revealing their sexual orientation without fear of retribution or dismissal.
A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ordered the Pentagon on Wednesday to cease investigations and discharges of service members in violation of the ban on gays serving openly in the military. The ruling noted that the Obama administration has said it thinks another federal law — the Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages — is unconstitutional.
The Defense Department will comply with the court order and took steps late Wednesday to begin informing the forces of the change, according to Marine Col. Dave Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman.
But plans to end the ban on gays in uniform, as outlined in a law passed in December, will continue as scheduled, senior military officials said Thursday.
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Complete article at Washington Post : http://wapo.st/njQjGi
