War vets, a Catholic priest and gay rights activists face a US federal court hearing on Friday (Saturday NZ time) after their protest opposing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The 13 chained themselves to the White House fence in November and are charged with violating the orders of a federal law enforcement officer — the first time protesters have faced the charge in at least five years. A conviction can carry a prison term of up to six months. In December, weeks after the protest, US President Barack Obama signed legislation to end the ban on out gay servicemen and women. The change is to take effect after armed forces are briefed on the changes, in training due for completion mid-year. The group of protesters in court includes eight war vets whom the forces discharged for being openly gay, such as former Air Force member Mara Boyd, discharged in 2003. Once the law takes effect, people such as Boyd can re-enlist. She plans to do so “as soon as I can walk into a recruiting office”.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 18th March 2011 - 7:58pm