Gates Looks to Ease Rules Against Gays

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday he wants to make the law prohibiting gays from serving openly in the armed forces "more humane" until Congress eventually repeals it. He said he has lawyers studying ways the law might be selectively enforced.

"One of the things we're looking at is, is there flexibility in how we apply this law?" Gates said.

Gates made his comment the same day that a military administrative board recommended that a National Guard officer and combat veteran who publicly announced he's gay should be discharged for violating the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Lt. Dan Choi would be the first New York National Guard member discharged for violating the policy against homosexual conduct, said Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, a spokesman for the New York Army National Guard.

More at link.

Words from Lt. Dan Choi:  After 10 years of service to our country -- including leading combat patrols,  rebuilding schools and translating Arabic in Iraq for 15 months -- the Federal  Recognition Board issued its recommendation on Tuesday that I be discharged from  the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't  Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

The board's decision to fire me is not the end.  Now that this panel of four officers has recommended my discharge, it still must  be approved by senior officials in the Army, a process that could take a few  weeks to a year. Unless something unexpected happens, it may be just a matter of  time before the Army officially fires me.

Dan is not giving up and needs your help to keep on fighting. Please join Lt. Choi, the Courage Campaign, Knights Out and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in signing this letter to Speaker Pelosi.

I signed yesterday, as I did last week for letter that went to President Obama in support of Lt. Choi.  Please go to the link if you feel it is time to end Don't Ask Don't Tell.

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Your support for Dan has been amazing. 162,741 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to the Army. And, a few weeks ago, 141,262 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to President Obama. Combined, more than 300,000 signatures were collected on Lt. Choi's behalf and were submitted as "Exhibit E: Courage Campaign" to the Army.

Jul 2, 2009 -- 9:39PM, Dreamweever2 wrote:

Thanks for sharing that link Stardove. I went and signed too.

Good deal.