Gays and Lesbians in the Military

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen testified on the potential repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy barring openly gay and lesbian service members. In their testimony they outlined plans to conduct a year-long review which would recommend policy changes on which Congress could act. In the interim, Secretary Gates said the military would enforce the existing policy “in a more humane and fair manner.”