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Months before Obama moves to repeal Donââ¬â¢t Ask Donââ¬â¢t Tell
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Barack Obama calls for assessment before revoking the ban on gays serving in the military
"The Presidentââ¬â¢s staff met with the Servicemembers Legal Defence Network, the gay support group who are looking to overturn the law"
The President of the United States Barack Obama has asked for a military assessment into the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the armed forces, before he begins his move to repeal the law.
The President’s staff recently met with the Servicemembers Legal Defence Network, the gay support group who are looking to overturn the law.
They estimate that around 65,000 lesbian and gay service members currently serve on active duty and in the reserves of the U.S. military, with around 500 of those serving openly without consequence.
The Boston Globe today reported:
"[The President] does not want to ask lawmakers to do so until the military has completed a comprehensive assessment of the impact that such a move would have on military discipline.
"Then, the President hopes to be able to make a case to members of both parties that overturning the 1993 law would be in the best interest of national security."
The ban is known as Don’t Ask Don’t Tell because while it is illegal for anyone who "demonstrate(s) a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" to serve in the forces, it is also illegal for commanders to ask the sexual orientation of service members.
Since the law came into force in 1993 around 12,500 troops have been dismissed.
