Pentagon: Accept Openly Gay Recruits

The Pentagon has informed recruiters that due to a federal ruling, it has to accept openly gay applicants.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Defense Department said Tuesday that it is accepting openly gay recruits, but is warning applicants they might not be allowed to stick around for long.

Following last week’s court ruling that struck down a 1993 law banning gays from serving openly, the military has suspended enforcement of the rule known as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” The Justice Department is appealing the decision and has asked the courts for a temporary stay on the ruling.

via News from The Associated Press.

Even though I’d read about the federal court ruling, it didn’t seem real until this moment. Granted, it may not stick and the Pentagon is preparing people for that possibility. Still, it’s a huge moment.

For the time being, homosexuals finally have the right to openly serve and die for their country.

Now we just have to give them the right to live their lives.

Update 10/20/2010:  An Appeals Court has reversed the decision.