Thaindian News

By Ranjan Bhaduri
Washington, May 28, (THAINDIAN NEWS) There is good news for the LGBT community in the USA. The lawmakers in both of the chambers of the US congress have taken measures for withdrawing a ban on gays serving in the military openly. The draconian law has faced the wrath of the LGBT activists. The Clinton era law known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” expels homosexuals from army if their orientation gets exposed by any means. The detractors of the law have long claimed that it violates the fundamental rights of people working in the army. The result of the vote among the House of Representatives turned out to be 234-194. The visitors in the House galleries applauded loud after the result was out and almost the same scene was repeated in the Senate earlier.

However, a number of legislative steps need to be taken before the change can be translated into a law. Representative Patrick Murphy supported the repeal of the law and argued there is no reason over 13000 gay soldiers should be asked to leave the US army for their different sexual orientation. Even the President Barack Obama remarked that he was pleased with the outcome of the vote. He said that the legislation will prove beneficial both for the Lesbian and gay soldiers and also the US army. They would be able to serve openly in the army in the near future.

The ends of the ban that has existed for 17 years would indicate a major triumph for President Barack Obama and those gay activists who lent their support to his 2008 campaign for Presidential race. The Republicans are trying to find fault with the vote but Patrick Murphy and others opposing the law think the formalities will take place smoothly.