Epress.am News from Armenia
A federal judge in California has ruled that a ban on LGBT soldiers serving openly in the US military is unconstitutional, BBC News reports.
The judge said the law, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” violated fundamental First Amendment rights.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” allows gay and lesbian soldiers to serve if their sexual preference is not known but suspends them if it is.
The latest case was regarded as a major test for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which President Barack Obama says he would repeal.
On Thursday, US District Judge Virginia Phillips granted a request for an injunction halting the policy.
She said the law did not help military readiness, but had a “direct and deleterious effect” on the armed services.
The Obama administration has promised to introduce legislation repealing it [the ban, not the court ruling].
It has also announced that the repeal would not be implemented until after the Pentagon completed a review of its impact on the armed forces.