US President Barak Obama has reiterated his promise to end the US military's controversial "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy. Us President Barak Obama "We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve this country," Obama said at the weekend. "We should be celebrating their willingness to show such courage and selflessness on behalf of their fellow citizens, especially when we're fighting two wars." The compromised "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, instituted by the Clinton administration in 1993, dictates that no serving member of the US defence forces can be forced to disclose their sexuality. However, any serviceman or woman who engages in homosexual activities can be dismissed from the services and since 1993 almost 13,000 service members have been dismissed under the law. Obama has been criticised for not yet moving on his campaign promise to end the policy and official discrimination against LGBT people in the armed services. He has still to give any indication of when and how he intends to address it.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 12th October 2009 - 6:59pm