DEVELOPING: Military Recruiters Ordered to Accept Gay Applicants

This is major. Following the landmark federal court ruling that struck down the ban on gays serving openly in the military, a Pentagon spokeswoman says recruiters have been told that they must accept gay and lesbian applicants, reports the AP.

"Spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said Tuesday that top-level guidance has been issued to recruiting commands informing them that the military's "don't ask, don't tell" rule has been suspended for now. Recruiters also have been told to inform potential recruits that the moratorium could be reversed at any point. Last week, a federal judge ordered the military to stop enforcing the 1993 law banning openly gay service members. The Justice Department is appealing the decision and has asked for a temporary stay."

At a Monday hearing in Riverside, California, U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips said she will most likely reject the government's request for a stay in the injunction against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Phillips said the Justice Department did not present evidence  to demonstrate how her ruling would cause irreparable harm to U.S. troops.

Comments

[Nathan James]

Question: Would gays who enlist while DADT is suspended, face dischage if this policy is reinstated? In other words, would prior disclosure (because DADT is suspended) be used as grounds for dismissal (if DADT is restored while Obama's appeal of Judge Phillips' ruling works its way through the courts) of openly gay/lesbian servicepersons?

[terrell]

Recruiters ask men and women if they are homosexual?

[MW09]

Greatness!