CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Military officials have submitted their reports on "don't ask, don't tell" repeal certification, one week after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in a longstanding case that the Department of Defense can no longer enforce the policy barring openly gay service members.
"Today [the Defense Department] confirmed that the service secretaries, service chiefs and combatant commanders have submitted their assessments," Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said in a statement provided to The Advocate. "These assessments represent their best judgment, providing their recommendations, insight, concerns (if any) and advice regarding the status of their service's preparation for repeal."
The assessments will be reviewed by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen. President Obama asserted two weeks ago at an LGBT Pride Month reception at the White House that certification of DADT repeal will be completed in "weeks, not months." The contents of the assessment reports have not yet been made public.
Last week a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit ordered that a stay on U.S. district judge Virginia Phillips's October injunction against DADT in a case brought by the Log Cabin Republicans be lifted (Phillips ruled the policy unconstitutional).
The Justice Department has not appealed the ruling, prompting a Monday court order that DOJ advise Congress should it decline to further defend the policy in the suit. Log Cabin attorneys have said they will not drop the case, citing ongoing concerns for openly gay service members. Oral arguments in the case before the Ninth Circuit are scheduled for the week of August 29.
Following the Ninth Circuit's order, the Defense Department confirmed Friday that "don't ask, don't tell" investigations had been suspended and that new enlistments would be accepted "without regard to sexual orientation." One gay service member, Airman 1st Class Justin Dailey, confirmed to The Advocate last week that his discharge proceedings under DADT had been suspended.
Wednesday's statement from DoD, via spokeswoman Eileen Lainez:
The process that Congress and the President established as a prerequisite to the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is well underway.
Today DoD confirmed that the service secretaries, service chiefs and combatant commanders have submitted their assessments. These assessments represent their best judgment, providing their recommendations, insight, concerns (if any) and advice regarding the status of their service's preparation for repeal.
The Secretary and Chairman will review the assessments.
Responses Wednesday from LGBT groups:
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network executive director Aubrey Sarvis:
At SLDN, we are encouraged by the delivery of these assessments and recommendations on repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' to Secretary Panetta and Chairman Mullen. To end the confusion among troops and in the courts, we need the formal certification from the President, Secretary Panetta, and Admiral Mullen, and that document should go up to Capitol Hill and to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit within days.
Human Rights Campaign spokesman Michael Cole-Schwartz:
Senior military leaders have already said the process is working without significant disruption and we urge the Chairman and Secretary to certify repeal as soon as possible so that we can finally rid our laws of this policy that contradicts both our values and our security interests.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
The gay man leading the Earth Day Initiative offers hope for the future
April 22 2024 9:00 AM
Pattie Gonia takes drag and fierceness to Capitol Hill to voice environmental concerns
April 22 2024 8:23 AM
Jodie Foster leaves her mark in cement at L.A.'s Chinese Theatre
April 22 2024 7:55 AM
Climate change has a bigger impact on LGBTQ+ couples than straight couples. Here's how
April 22 2024 7:42 AM
Iraq postpones vote on bill punishing gay sex with death
April 20 2024 1:31 PM
Russian poetry contest bans entries from transgender poets
April 20 2024 1:25 PM
Here's who won 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 16
April 20 2024 1:01 PM
The Tip Off: A beginners guide to the WNBA
April 20 2024 11:06 AM
John Fetterman challenges Pa. school board’s cancellation of talk by gay actor
April 19 2024 2:39 PM
New study finds inadequate response to mpox outbreak
April 19 2024 2:06 PM
Fighting back against MAGA’s attacks on equality
April 19 2024 1:00 PM
Just one Christian Nationalist group is behind Idaho's bans on trans care and abortion
April 19 2024 11:57 AM
Linda Perry opens up in new documentary, premiering in June at Tribeca Festival
April 19 2024 11:43 AM