Ask and Tell: U.S. Court Strikes Down Military Policy on Gays

[WSJ Law Blog]

California federal judge Virginia Phillips struck down the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays serving openly in the military, ruling that the policy violates service members' free-speech and due process rights.



In recent months, the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on gays serving openly in the military has seemed to rest on life support. The House voted to repeal it earlier this year and Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen have spoken out against it.

Yesterday, California federal judge Virginia Phillips struck another firm blow to don’t ask, don’t tell, ruling that the policy violates service members’ free-speech and due process rights.

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