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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Brass: Let Gays Serve Openly

Study says gays don't undermine military

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(Newser) – Four high-ranking retired military officers have called on Congress to repeal the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy, saying that it makes it extremely difficult for gays in the US military, reports AP. Allowing gays to serve openly would not undermine the morale, discipline or effectiveness of units in combat, they concluded, after conducting a study for a California-based research center.   

A Navy vice admiral who said he had no opinion on the issue when he joined the panel said he was struck by the loss of personal integrity by individuals carrying out "don't ask, don't tell." "Everyone was living a big lie," he said. "Homosexuals were trying to hide their sexual orientation and commanders were looking the other way because they didn't want to disrupt operations by trying to enforce the law."

A protester takes part in a rally on Capitol Hill against the
A protester takes part in a rally on Capitol Hill against the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays in the military.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
A rally supporting efforts to repeal the
A rally supporting efforts to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. A new study by retired senior officers says allowing gays to serve would not impact military morale or combat effectiveness.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
U.S. soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division during a patrol in Iraq. A new study claims allowing gays to serve military would not reduce military morale or combat effectiveness.
U.S. soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division during a patrol in Iraq. A new study claims allowing gays to serve military would not reduce military morale or combat effectiveness.   (AP Photo/Petr David Josek )
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Call to end 'don't ask. don't tell'
USA Today

Full text of retired officers' report
palmcenter.org


Politics  •  US 
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Barack Obama • Congress • Pentagon • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • gays in the military • Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis • Michael D. Palm Center • Lt. Gen. Robert Minter Alexander • Navy Vice Adm. Jack Shanahan • UC Santa Barbara

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