Homosexuality, Don't Ask Don't Tell | featured news

A federal judge issued a worldwide injunction stopping enforcement of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, ending the military’s 17-year-old ban on openly gay troops.

A federal judge says the Air Force violated the constitutional rights of a highly decorated flight nurse when it discharged her for being gay, and ordered that she be given her job back as soon as possible.

Attorneys for the Obama administration objected Thursday to a proposed worldwide injunction being considered by a California federal judge that would halt the military's ban on openly gay troops.

President Obama endorsed a "don't ask, don't tell" compromise between lawmakers and the Defense Department that may sidestep a key obstacle to repealing the military's policy banning gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces.

Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked legislation that would have repealed the law banning gays from serving openly in the military.

While the policy will not change right away, the ruling reflects others taking aim at discrimination against homosexuals.

The Pentagon made immediate changes on Thursday to make it harder for the U.S. military to kick out gay personnel, an interim step while Congress debates repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.