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A COURT IN the US has ordered an immediate end to the country’s long-standing ban on openly gay people serving in the military.
The controversial policy – known as ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ because gay people are allowed to join as long as they keep their sexuality hidden – was repealed by Congress last year. However the ban, which was instituted in 1993, remained in force because military chiefs are still drafting new rules.
Yesterday three judges at a San Francisco court ruled that the ban must end immediately, saying that it was unconstitutional to treat gay people differently, the BBC reports. The decision came in an appeal case brought by the equality campaigners Log Cabin Republicans.
“Finally, people who wish to serve our country are going to be allowed to do so without regard to their sexual orientation,” Dan Woods, lawyer for the group, told the San Francisco Chronicle.
A gay officer serving in the Air Force also welcomed the move. Speaking anonymously to the Seattle Times, he said: “As the news goes out over the wire, troops will see again, as they did last fall, that DADT is dead.”
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the tea party jesus freaks will love this
The lunatic that is Sarah Palin, must be choking in her coffee while looking at Russia from her Alaska porch!
About time sense prevailed. Good to hear.
I expect it will be appealed by someone in the Army somewhere – if so, the case might continue up to their supreme court.
Haha a court in San Francisco!!! Good state to hold it in! Imagine Texas – Wonder how it would have turned out then!?
About time too
That’s great but I don’t think too many gay people would feel comfortable in that macho setting, it’s easy to change a law much harder to change a mindset!
Why must people disclose their sexuality next trannies will want their own wardrobe for makeup before battle.privates lives should remain that way.
I agree Michael, let’s keep our private lives private, consenting adults and all that. I don’t know about you but I’m not interested in the details of anyone else’s sex life whether they are heterosexual or homosexual! Too busy looking after my own!!!!
Problem is you cannot openly be in a relationship….get married etc. How is that fair when heterosexuals don’t have to hide their husbands and wives in the closet?
I don’t agree with Michael, because your sexuality is not part of your private life. Who and how you have sex with someone is certainly private, but imagine constantly having to self-censor in order to avoid mention of celebrities you find attractive. Or your partner, like Jedi says. Or the good time you had at Pride. The bad time you had at Pride. The fact that you were at Pride at all. Any gay bar you go to. Oh, and it’s not just that if you say these things people will be uncomfortable. You’ll lose your job.
DADT promotes a sense of shame about being gay which is neither healthy nor fair.
I also don’t agree with Michael because his comment about ‘trannies’ is breathtakingly stupid and narrowminded. Tell me, Michael, how many trans people do you actually know?
have your say