Federal Judge Rules That American Ban On Openly Gay Service Members Unconstitutional; Issues Injunction

United States District Judge Virginia Philips Thursday ruled that the American military ban on openly gay men and women service members is unconstitutional. Phillips granted a request for an injunction that effectively halts the government from applying the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Phillips wrote that the policy detracts from military readiness, having a “direct and deleterious effect” on all branches of the armed services. The successful injunction was brought by the Log Cabin Republicans, who filed the suit in 2004. Government attorneys argue that Judge Phillips lacks the authority to issue a national injunction and that the issue of the ban should in fact be decided by Congress and not the courts. R. Clarke Cooper, the executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans & Liberty Education Fund said “Today, the ruling is not just a win for Log Cabin Republican service members, but all American service members.”