The US Supreme Court ruled that the ban on openly gay men and women from serving in the army stays. As a result of this decision, the issue will return into Congress when it reconvenes next week.
Although President Barack Obama wanted to put an end to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule which requires soldiers to keep their sexual orientation secret, the politicians seem to be reluctant in passing legislation.
The Justice Department too wants to give the Pentagon more time to prepare for admitting openly gay soldiers.
While the “don’t ask, don’t tell” rule passed in 1993 has been found unconstitutional by a district court, the US Court of Appeals put the decision on the rocks, pending review. Advocacy groups raised the issue with the Supreme Court, which ruled that the ban will remain in effect without any comments.
As the issue will return in the Congress, the battle for gay rights to join the army moves in the Senate where a favorable law has been stalled before, while it passed in the House of Representatives. Activist groups are asking President Obama to lobby so that a favorable decision may be obtained in the Senate before year-end. Following the defeat in the election, in 2011 the Congress will be dominated by Republicans, which will undoubtedly maintain the ban.
The Pentagon initiated plans for a smooth transition into accepting openly gay soldiers and officials have told soldiers not to divulge their orientation before court proceedings are finished.
