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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: gays in the military

gays in the military stories: 19 news summaries

 Obama Looks to Lieberman 
 to Lead 'Don't Ask' Repeal 

Conn. independent has opposed policy on gays in military since '93

(Newser) - After President Obama's pledge this weekend to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the White House turned immediately to key senators on the Armed Services Committee—in particular Joe Lieberman. A House bill to repeal the policy has 177 sponsors, but the White House is eager for Senate legislation with bipartisan... 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... More »

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ANALYSIS

For UK Armed Forces, Gay Isn't a Dirty Word

Official magazine puts homosexual soldier on cover for first time

(Newser) - The UK’s official military publication features an openly gay service member on its cover for the first time ever in its current issue—a milestone in the integration of homosexual service members, Terri Judd notes in the Independent, and one that has US officials intently, if quietly, studying how... More »

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Iraq Vet to Spearhead Reversal of 'Don't Ask'

Rep. Murphy steps in as bill's sponsor

(Newser) - The battle to ditch the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays is being led by the first Iraq veteran to serve in Congress, the Los Angeles Times reports. Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy has taken over as sponsor of a bill that would allow gays to openly serve... More »

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Congress Don't Ask, Don't Tell US military Patrick Murphy gays in the military Military Readiness Enhancement Act

On Gays in Military, Obama Moves Slowly

White House to defend 'don't ask' in court, will seek 'sensible' change

(Newser) - On gays in the military, President Obama is stalling. During the campaign, he promised to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy instituted as a compromise early in President Clinton’s term. Now that he’s got the chance, the Wall Street Journal reports, he’s being... More »

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gay rights Don't Ask, Don't Tell gays in the military gays President Obama Dan Choi Margaret Witt

 Stewart 
 Takes Off 
 Gloves 
 on Obama 
 

Host proves even beloved president isn't safe on Daily Show

(Newser) - Barack Obama isn’t immune from Jon Stewart’s rancor. The Daily Show host took on the president yesterday for flip-flopping on government transparency and “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Gawker reports. After berating Obama for blocking the release of photos showing abuse of detainees and failing... More »

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entertainment Barack Obama Jon Stewart The Daily Show gays in the military torture photos

New Bill Looks to Topple 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Could prove a political headache for Obama

(Newser) - The controversy that derailed Bill Clinton’s first 100 days is heading for Barack Obama, Politico reports, with a California congresswoman to introduce legislation today to overturn the ban on gays serving openly in the military. Obama has made no secret of his desire to overturn the unpopular “don’... More »

 Obama Will End 
 'Don't Ask, 
 Don't Tell' 

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... More »

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gay rights military Don't Ask, Don't Tell US military gays in the military homosexual rights President Obama

Support Strong for Gay Navy Secretary

'Don't ask, don't tell' wouldn't apply because post is a civilian job

(Newser) - Retired military leaders and congressional Democrats are urging Barack Obama to nominate Bill White, an openly gay executive at the New York museum featuring the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, as secretary of the Navy, the Washington Times reports. The civilian post would not be subject to the Pentagon’s “... More »

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Don't Ask, Don't Tell Jerrold Nadler gays in the military Bill White Obama administration President Obama Obama Cabinet

 Obama Will Wait 
 on 'Don't Ask' Repeal 

Wants to prioritize consensus-building; heeds Clinton's mistake

(Newser) - President-elect Barack Obama plans to wait a bit before pursuing a campaign promise to overturn the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on homosexuals, reports the Washington Times. The new administration may not bring up the ban on gays in the military until 2010, in order... More »

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(AP) - More than 100 retired generals and admirals called today for repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays so they can serve openly, the AP reports. The list of 104 former officers who signed the statement appears to signal growing support for resolving the status of... More »

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Opinion

Anti-Gay Rant Makes Hill Wish It Hadn't Asked

Outspoken activist succeeds in unifying lawmakers against her

(Newser) - Don’t ask Elaine Donnelly what she thinks of gays in the military—she’ll tell you. Congress made that mistake yesterday, and the anti-gay activist let out what Dana Milbank of the Washington Post calls an “extraordinary exhibition of rage.” Donnelly warned the panel of the... More »

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Congress Don't Ask, Don't Tell testimony activist gays in the military House Armed Services Committee

opinion

Bigoted 'Don't Ask' Has No Support, Must Go Now

Policy does more harm than good

(Newser) - On the occasion of the first “don’t ask, don’t tell” congressional hearing in 15 years, John Cloud revisits the policy that bars gays from serving openly in the military in Time and deems it “a tissue of barely disguised bigotry.” He contends that the... More »

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Americans Now Favor 'Don't
Ask, Do Tell'

Acceptance of openly gay military enlistees surges to 75%

(Newser) - In the 15 years since the inception of the US military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gay servicemen and women, public opinion on the issue has shifted dramatically. In 1993, 44% of Americans said openly gay people should be allowed to enlist; a Washington Post-ABC News poll now... More »

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 Brass: Let Gays Serve Openly 

Study says gays don't undermine military

(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... More »

Lesbians Bear Brunt of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Women discharged more often than men for homosexuality

(Newser) - Debates about gays in the military have focused on men, but new information reveals that lesbians have faced much greater "don't ask, don't tell" challenges. Although women make up only 15% of Army and Air Force personnel, nearly half of the soldiers and airmen discharged for open homosexuality were... More »

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Gay Voters Defect as Clinton Falters

Early support erodes ahead of crucial Tuesday primaries

(Newser) - As first lady, Hillary Clinton marched in New York's pride parade and cemented her standing as a defender of gay rights. But her stalwart support in the gay community is waning, Bloomberg reports. Although both Democratic candidates oppose gay marriage and support civil unions, only Barack Obama wants to repeal... More »

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Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Go!

Military's 'Will and Grace' generation more tolerant of gays

(Newser) - The US military, whose resources are stretched overseas, has become far more tolerant of gays. One Army sergeant turned over a video of a passionate kiss with his boyfriend to superior officers and was merely told to go back to work, according to a "60 Minutes" investigation to be... More »

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Iraq Afghanistan US Army gays in the military 60 Minutes Sgt. Darren Manzella Will and Grace Brian Fricke Marine

Vets, Activists Fight 'Don't Ask'

Gay rights groups assail longstanding policy

(Newser) - A gay rights coalition marked today, the 14th anniversary of the enactment of “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” with a renewed push against the law. Activists planted 12,000 American flags on the National Mall to commemorate the troops discharged under the policy and sent an open... More »

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19 Stories