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US Defence Secretary Robert Gates told Congress yesterday that reviewing the policy that prevents gays and lesbians serving in the US military is “the right thing to do”. His statement follows an announcement that the Pentagon will launch a year-long review of the controversial ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy, with the possibility of repeal. “The question is not whether the military will make this change, but how,” Gates continued.

The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy prevents senior officers from directly asking service members about their sexuality. If they out themselves or are accused by a third party, however, they face investigation and discharge. The law was enacted under the Clinton administration in 1993, as a compromise after the Presidents desire to allow homosexuals to serve in the military was met with hostility.

In the UK, gay men and lesbians have been allowed to serve openly since 2000, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is forbidden. It is only since 2008 that service members have been permitted to attend Pride marches in uniform. Other European forces, as well as the Israeli army, also permit gay service memebers.

In his State of the Union Address last week, President Obama vowed to repeal the law, which has led to the dismissal of almost 11,000 personnel since its introduction. Any changes endorsed by the review will have to pass through Congress to become law, however, where a strong body of resistance is already building. Opponents argue that lifting the ban could harm cohesion and dissuade new recruits from joining the armed forces, at a time when the military is already under strain in Iraq and Afghanistan. Republican Senator John McCain said yesterday that he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision to launch the study.

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