Ban on gays in U.S. military unconstitutional, says judge

The current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they don’t disclose their sexual orientation.

Federal judge Virginia A. Phillips ruled yesterday that the U.S. military’s policy on gays in the military does not serve the country’s interests and violates the rights of homosexual servicemen and women. She was ruling in a case brought before a California court by the Log Cabin Republicans, a right-wing gay activist group. During Barack Obama’s presidential campaign he said he would repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, but once taking office said it was up to Congress to change the law. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has also said the policy should be scrapped. The ruling will have no immediate effect however, as the plaintiffs have still to file an injunction against the law and it will then face appeals.