The military’s longstanding “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy was declared discriminatory on Monday when a California state judge ruled in favor of a decorated officer who claimed he was discharged from the National Guard because he is gay. The policy, instituted by the Clinton Administration over five years ago, discriminates on the basis of “sexual orientation and violates the state’s constitution.”
“This is a total victory for the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. The Guard must now open state active duty jobs to everyone,” 1st Lt. Andrew Holmes commented in a recent statement.
The judgment will help open a number of jobs to gays in the military, especially for those who can now reapply for the Guard in a state capacity.
