In a blow to the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward homosexuals, a U.S. district judge ruled Friday that it is unconstitutional to dismiss homosexuals in the military who openly state their sexual preference. District Court Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong ordered the National Guard Friday (3-30) to reinstate Lt. Andrew Holmes who says the battle is just beginning. Filed under both federal and state law, the case was the first ruling on the matter in California and found that dismissal on the grounds of a serviceperson’s disclosure of homosexuality was a violation of the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection and free speech.
On another matter, the Central Conference of American Rabbis voted by a large majority Thursday (3-28) to support the civil marriages of lesbians and gay men. The group represents 1750 rabbis of the liberal Reform movement.
