‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ Repeal moves forward
July 22nd, 2011 - 11:03 pm ICT by Aishwarya BhattWashington, July 22 (THAINDIAN NEWS) The repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of the US military will move to the next stage with Pentagon expected to give the green light for the repeal of the law. The law which was introduced by the Bill Clinton administration prevented gay soldiers in the US army from talking about their sexual orientation.
The US Congress last December took the most critical step in having the law repealed when they voted to lift the 1993 law. The move which had the backing of President Barack Obama paved the way for gay military men to express themselves freely in the US army.
Any hope that total repeal will take place anytime soon has been cast in doubt because of legal battle against the law. A legal advocacy group in 2004 petitioned the US legal system regarding the constitutionality of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law.
The government was ordered by Ninth Circuit Judge Virginia Phillips to “immediately suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding” under the law in October. Phillips declared the law unconstitutional and the decision was appealed by the US Justice Department. The appeal court granted stay of execution on the ruling of the circuit court.
Several military personnel have been dismissed from the US army because of the law.
- Pentagon to comply with court's 'don't ask, don't tell' order - Oct 15, 2010
- US court stalls acceptance of gay recruits into military - Oct 21, 2010
- US military welcomes end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law on Pentagon's orders - Oct 20, 2010
- Victory for gays as judge orders U.S. military to halt 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law - Oct 13, 2010
- US judge puts global halt on 'don't ask, don't tell' policy - Oct 13, 2010
- Gibbs promises Obama will end military's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy on gays - Oct 18, 2010
- US military chaplains free to perform same-sex marriages - Oct 01, 2011
- Gay soldiers: US Congress votes to overturn military's 'don't ask, don't tell policy' - Dec 16, 2010
- Pentagon to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' policy - Mar 03, 2010
- Gaga appeals to senate over gay policy - Dec 01, 2010
- Mullen wants the Congress to delay the DADT repeal - May 31, 2010
- New publication launched for gays in the US military - Mar 29, 2011
- U.S. Senate votes to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy - Dec 19, 2010
- White House is silent on the Massachusetts gay marriage ruling - Jul 12, 2010
- Congress to vote on military gay ban - May 27, 2010
Tags: advocacy group, appeal court, barack obama, bill clinton, bill clinton administration, circuit judge, constitutionality, critical step, gay military men, gay soldiers, legal advocacy, military personnel, ninth circuit, pentagon, proceeding, sexual orientation, us army, us congress, us justice department, virginia phillips