Military, End Don't Ask Don't Tell | featured news

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that abruptly ending the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays as a federal judge has ordered would have enormous consequences.

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.

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Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked legislation that would have repealed the law banning gays from serving openly in the military.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 House on Friday passed a defense bill that paves the way for gays to serve openly in the military for the first time, but advocates on both sides geared up for a fight in the Senate....

Man shouts at president to move faster on "don't ask, don't tell," and Obama shouts back.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates gave lukewarm support Tuesday to a White House-backed plan for a congressional vote as early as this week to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law against gays serving openly in the military. Gates indicated he'd prefer more time to study the sweeping change before Congress acts....

The Marine Corps' commandant said he won't force his troops to bunk with gays on base and would give them separate rooms if Congress votes to allow openly gay service.