US army begins accepting openly gay recruits

The United States Army, for the first time is admitting openly gay and lesbian candidates into its ranks, in line with a court ruling that suspended a ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military. On Friday, instructions were e-mailed to recruiters saying that they must inform applicants that there was a suspension of the "don't ask don't tell" policy, The New York Times reported.

This move follows from a decision, earlier this month, when a federal court judge moved against the US military practice of barring openly gay people from joining the armed forces by halting the 'don't ask, don't tell policy'. The 17-year-old policy "infringes the fundamental rights of United States service members and prospective service members," wrote Judge Virginia A Phillips of Federal District Court for the Central District of California. Further noting that the policy violated their rights of due process and freedom of speech, Judge Phillips, issued an injunction "to suspend and discontinue" immediately any investigations or proceedings to dismiss members of the armed services.

President Barack Obama has urged the US Congress to appeal the law. Defense Secretary Robert M Gates has also spoken out against