The military ban on openly gay servicemen and women will stay in place for the time being after the Obama administration opposed its immediate ban in a ruling on Thursday, much to the dismay of the gay and lesbian community.
The injunction, which was to immediately stop the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy over soldier’s sexual preferences, was objected to on the grounds that in a time of war, the immediate repeal of the policy may be detrimental to military readiness.
After a California Federal Court ruled that the policy was unconstitutional, the Justice Department filed against the injunction stating that the court was unable to compel the executive branch to end the policy immediately “without regard for any effect such an abrupt change might have on the military's operations.”
Even though President Obama supports a repeal of the policy in question, which forbids the military from asking about sexual orientation but maintains a ban on openly gay service members, the immediate cessation of the policy is now off the cards.
Members of the gay and lesbian community have expressed disappointment with Obama’s administration for refusing to lift the ban immediately, especially as Obama repeatedly supported the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy while on the Presidential campaign trail.
The Justice Department has asked for patience as the Pentagon completes a study into how to best integrate openly gay and lesbian service members into military ranks.
