Tuesday, October 19, 2010

US Military Accepts Court Ruling Allowing Gays; Recruiters Directed to Accept Gay Applicants

The US military is accepting -- for the first time in the nation's history -- openly gay recruits, even as it tries in the courts to slow the movement to abolish its "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

The Associated Press website reports that at least two service members -- discharged for being gay -- began the process to re-enlist after the Pentagon's announcement today (October 19, 2010).

The movement to overturn the 1993 Clinton-era law gained speed when President Barack Obama campaigned on its repeal. Last month, US District Judge Virginia Phillips declared the law unconstitutional.

The Defense Department said it will comply with Judge Phillips' order. In fact, Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said recruiters had been given top-level guidance to accept applicants who say they are gay.

No comments:

Post a Comment