The Supreme Court has rejected an emergency request to rescind the existing policy that prohibits homosexuals from serving on active duty while allowing service members to keep their private lives confidential. The Log Cabin Republicans, a gay conservative group, asked the high court to step in and revoke the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy while the federal court system determines if it is constitutional. The group successfully challenged the law in federal district court in October, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the decision on Nov. 1. But the appellate court also granted an injunction filed by the Justice Department that kept “don’t ask, don’t tell” in effect. Pentagon leadership favors ending “don’t ask, don’t tell” and allowing homosexuals to serve, but believes a gradual and orderly transition will minimize potential adverse effects upon morale, readiness, and unit cohesion.
