Gay Soldier Invited Back to Guard Unit

Supporters say Senate failure pushed Dan Choi over the edge

(NEWSER) - One of the most outspoken opponents of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy has been involuntarily committed to a Veterans Administration psychological ward after a breakdown. Iraq veteran Dan Choi—who was discharged after coming out on a talk show last year—had been suffering stress and exhaustion, especially after the Senate's failure to repeal the policy last week, AOL reports. More»

Dan Choi, second soldier arrested after rally

(NEWSER) - A gay Army veteran chained himself to the White House fence today to protest what he sees as President Obama’s foot-dragging on the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on homosexuals in the ranks. Lt. Dan Choi spoke at a gay-rights rally in Washington before his protest move, which got him and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo, a gay Vermont soldier, arrested and charged with failure to obey a lawful order, the New York Daily News reports. Check the video above for more. More»

(NEWSER) - A persuasive essay arguing against the military's ban on gay soldiers is raising hope among activists that a watershed moment is near. It's not so much because of the essay's familiar arguments—that "Don't Ask Don't Tell" hurts morale and violates civil rights—but because of its publication in a widely read Pentagon journal. "We think it is significant—a breakthrough moment," one opponent of the policy tells NPR. More»

Military may not boot gays outed by jilted lovers, blackmailers

(NEWSER) - The Obama administration is looking for ways to get around the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law that forbids gays from serving openly in the military, CNN reports. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he is investigating ways to make the policy “more humane,” such as not dismissing service members who are outed as an act of blackmail or by a jilted lover. More»

Former supporters turned against Clinton-era policy

(NEWSER) - The end is near for “don’t ask, don’t tell,” reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Rolling back the 1993 policy keeping gay, lesbian, and bisexual members of the military from serving openly was one of Barack Obama's campaign pledges, but some feared he was backing off. But asked about repeal plans, his spokesman said, “You don't hear politicians give a one-word answer much. But it's 'Yes.’” More»