Military to Ease Ban on Gays in the Military
Posted By Claery & Green on Apr 6, 2010 1:45pm PDT
CNN reported that the Pentagon will start to ease its enforcement of the military's "don't ask, don't tell policy" that prohibits gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.
The decision to start rethinking the military's policy was announced by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Gates said that one issue the Pentagon plans to address is raising the threshold for what is considered an appropriate level of information necessary to launch a "credible inquiry" into allegations of homosexual behavior.
Gate's said the change to the policy is a matter of common sense and common decency, and that the change also "reflects some of the insights [the military has] gained over 17 years of implementing the current law, including the need for consistency, oversight and clear standards."
Both President Obama and the chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff support repealing the ban, however several seniors members of the military expressed concerned about how the repeal will affect cohesion, unity, and morale among service members. But Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee that great effort will be made to "minimize the disruption and polarization within the ranks, with special attention paid to those serving on the front lines."
The change is expected to take effect within a month's time.
Since the "don't ask don't tell" policy went into effect back in 1993, over 13,500 service members have been discharged from the military under the policy.
A recent CNN/Opinion Research poll found that 69% of Americans feel gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the military.
At Claery & Green, not only do we have experience in military law, but we are also strong advocates of gay and lesbian rights. If you feel your civil your rights are being violated, whether by the U.S. military or by anyone else, you can trust Claery & Green to provide you with the committed, experienced and driven legal counsel needed to address the issue. Contact Claery & Green today by calling (877) 756-4111!