Out and About

Pentagon to End 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'

Complies with federal court order.

The Pentagon announced Thursday that despite the Obama administration’s wishes, the military will comply with a court order to stop enforcing its “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy prohibiting gays from serving openly in the military. The Pentagon will terminate pending investigations and discharges of service members found to be in violation of the policy, according to officials. The Obama administration is appealing the ruling, seeking time to implement the new policies without affecting combat readiness or morale. After intense petitioning by the Log Cabin Republicans, a 19,000-member gay advocacy group including many members of the military, District Judge Virginia A. Phillips ruled in September that the 17-year-old policy has a “direct and deleterious effect” on the military, and ordered an end to it.