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Military to Ease Off on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Gays outed by third parties won't be prosecuted

By Emily Rauhala,  Newser User

Posted Feb 2, 2010 6:48 AM CST | Updated Feb 2, 2010 7:41 AM CST

(Newser) – The military will no longer aggressively pursue disciplinary action against gay service members who are outed by a third party, the Pentagon will announce today. Under the new policy, gay personnel would face discharge only if they go public themselves on their sexual orientation. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, will also announce the creation of a group to investigate how to integrate openly gay members into the armed forces—a process expected to take a year.

For Obama, this is a step toward a promise kept, but gay rights campaigners worry that the group will take too long to decide, reports the Washington Post. Figures released yesterday show 428 people were discharged from the armed forces last year for violating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," down from 619 people in 2008.



Gay rights advocates march by the White House in Washington, on Oct. 11, 2009.
Gay rights advocates march by the White House in Washington, on Oct. 11, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The annoucnements are a step toward ending 'don't ask, don't tell.'
The annoucnements are a step toward ending 'don't ask, don't tell.'   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 20 comments
Cher
Feb 3, 2010 5:37 AM CST
FLIGHT.....Sorry I believe that if you know many gay people you have definitely seen them demonstrate the "actions/attitude" that are attributed to them. You know what that means so you have seen it. It it is offensive to attribute it to them think how we heterosexuals feel when they display such action right in front of us. I think they would do much better if they acted "normal" in public, like most of us do.
Cher
Feb 3, 2010 5:25 AM CST
Not counting what the Bible says, that's another story. It seems to me the gays and lezzies just "have" to show you how "gay" they are. I don't like open affection in public from straights. You know "get a room". So I sure don't want to see it from gays trying to make their point obvious. It's enough for adults to have to look at that crap, I sure don't want young children to see it.
AdaptAndOvercome
Feb 3, 2010 3:48 AM CST
Cher, you sound like one miserable individual. Affection within reason is nice, in public. You have issues beyond the "gay" thing. As for gaysserving openly in the military: GOOD FOR THEM. They deserve the same opportunities that everyone else does. If they want to serve their country, then what's wrong with that. Nothing....especially since we have such a large number of "patriot" spouting hypocrits who haven't and won't serve a day in their lives...why? because they're cowards.

More Newser Stories

Pentagon Starts Clock on Lifting Gay Ban

Gates Seeks to Make 'Don't Ask' More Humane

Pentagon Will Fill Civilian Jobs in Afghanistan

Gates, Obama: Different Parties, Similar Views

Reports: Gates Will Remain at Pentagon


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