25 March 2010

Slowly Making 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Obsolete

Defense Secretary Robert Gates will announce Thursday that the Defense Department will relax enforcement of the "don't ask, don't tell" rules that prevent gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military, a decision that officials described as a temporary measure until Congress can take permanent action.

The military will no longer investigate the sexual orientation of service members based on anonymous complaints, will restrict testimony from third parties and will require high-ranking officers to review all cases, sources familiar with the changes said.

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder discusses the move here.