'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy on Yahoo! News Photos

President Barack Obama's bid to lift the ban on gays serving ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:34:38 GMT

(AFP/File) - President Barack Obama's bid to lift the ban on gays serving openly in the military received another boost Wednesday when retired US general Colin Powell, pictured in 2009, came out in support of the repeal.(AFP/File/Saul Loeb)

US soldiers in Afghanistan. The US military's top officer ...

(AFP/File) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:32:04 GMT

(AFP/File) - US soldiers in Afghanistan. The US military's top officer delivered an ardent appeal for lifting the ban on gays serving openly in uniform, saying it was "the right thing to do."(AFP/File/Jim Hollander)

VIDEO Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a year-long review ...

(AFPTV) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:32:04 GMT

(AFPTV) - VIDEO Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a year-long review to prepare the way for repealing a 1993 law that requires that gay service members keep quiet about their sexual orientation or face expulsion from the military. That's too late for David Hall, who was kicked out of the airforce after being outed by someone else. Duration: 01:43(AFPTV)

A truck carries a giant advertising poster for the US Marines. ...

(AFP/File) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:32:04 GMT

(AFP/File) - A truck carries a giant advertising poster for the US Marines. The US military's top officer delivered an ardent appeal for lifting the ban on gays serving openly in uniform, saying it was "the right thing to do."(AFP/File/Hector Mata)

Gay activists protest in front of the US Capitol in Washington ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:18:34 GMT

(AFP/File) - Gay activists protest in front of the US Capitol in Washington in 2009 to demand civil rights. The top US military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, said on Tuesday he supports lifting the ban on gays serving openly in uniform, saying it was "the right thing to do."(AFP/File/Maria Belen Perez Gabilondo)

Defense Secretary Robert Gates participates in a Senate Armed ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:18:34 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates participates in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Gates will launch a year-long review Tuesday designed to prepare the way for the repeal of a ban on gays serving openly in the US military, a defense official said.(AFP/Getty Images/Mark Wilson)

Hundreds of US flags are displayed on the National Mall as part ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:18:34 GMT

(AFP/File) - Hundreds of US flags are displayed on the National Mall as part of a campaign by gay rights lobbying groups in 2007 in Washington, DC. The top US military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, said on Tuesday he supports lifting the ban on gays serving openly in uniform, saying it was "the right thing to do."(AFP/File/Tim Sloan)

Defense Secretary Robert Gates (L) and Chairman of the Joint ...

(AFP/Getty Images) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:18:34 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) talk before the start of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Mullen said on Tuesday he supports lifting the ban on gays serving openly in uniform, saying it was "the right thing to do."(AFP/Getty Images/Mark Wilson)

FILE - In this Sunday, June 27, 1993 file photo, a man who wished ...

(AP) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:46:08 GMT

(AP) - FILE - In this Sunday, June 27, 1993 file photo, a man who wished not to be identified has the slogan 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' painted on his torso as he prepares to march in the 24th Annual Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade in New York. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, appearing before the Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, announced plans to loosen enforcement rules involving the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy that has been in effect since 1993. (AP Photo/Justin Sutcliffe, file)

Gay rights activist Lt. Dan Choi, attends a Senate Armed Services ...

(AP) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:48:01 GMT

(AP) - Gay rights activist Lt. Dan Choi, attends a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, related to the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. Choi, a West Point alumni, is a member of the New York National Guard. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Gay rights activist Lt. Dan Choi, speaks to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, ...

(AP) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:37:23 GMT

(AP) - Gay rights activist Lt. Dan Choi, speaks to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, after a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. Choi, a West Point alumni, is a member of the New York National Guard. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Gay rights activist Lt. Dan Choi, attends a Senate Armed Services ...

(AP) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:20:41 GMT

(AP) - Gay rights activist Lt. Dan Choi, attends a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010, related to the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. Choi, who is a West Point alumni, is a member of the New York National Guard. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Gay activists protest in front of the US Capitol in Washington ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:27:12 GMT

(AFP/File) - Gay activists protest in front of the US Capitol in Washington in 2009 to demand civil rights. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will launch a year-long review Tuesday aimed at preparing the US military for the repeal of a ban on gays known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a US defense official said.(AFP/File/Maria Belen Perez Gabilondo)

Gay activists protest in front of the US Capitol in Washington ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:00:45 GMT

(AFP/File) - Gay activists protest in front of the US Capitol in Washington in October 2009 to demand civil rights. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will launch a year-long review Tuesday aimed at preparing the US military for the repeal of a ban on gays known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a US defense official said.(AFP/File/Maria Belen Perez Gabilondo)

File photo shows US soldiers in Helmand Province in November ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:00:45 GMT

(AFP/File) - File photo shows US soldiers in Helmand Province in November 2009. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will launch a year-long review Tuesday aimed at preparing the US military for the repeal of a ban on gays known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a US defense official said.(AFP/File/Manpreet Romana)

Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, ...

(AFP/File) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:00:45 GMT

(AFP/File) - Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, in 2009. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will launch a year-long review Tuesday designed to prepare the way for the repeal of a ban on gays serving openly in the US military, a defense official said.(AFP/File/Jim Watson)

Members of ACT UP hold out a banner as they demonstrate in New ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:50:15 GMT

(AFP/File) - Members of ACT UP hold out a banner as they demonstrate in New York in 2007. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will present to lawmakers next week plans on how to repeal a ban on gays serving openly in the US military, his spokesman said Thursday.(AFP/File/Timothy A. Clary)

A demonstrator waves a rainbow flag in front of the US Capitol ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:01:23 GMT

(AFP/File) - A demonstrator waves a rainbow flag in front of the US Capitol in Washington in 2009 as tens of thousands of gay activists marched to demand civil rights. The Pentagon is preparing for a repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the US military after President Barack Obama renewed his vow to scrap the rule, a spokesman said on Thursday.(AFP/File/Maria Belen Perez Gabilondo)

Lieutenant Dan Choi who was dismissed from the US Army for "being ...

(AFP/File) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:39:41 GMT

(AFP/File) - Lieutenant Dan Choi who was dismissed from the US Army for "being openly gay", declares that he would try to protest his case during President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Los Angeles, at a gay protest rally in Hollywood, in May 2009.(AFP/File/Mark Ralston)

US President Barack Obama speaks during his first State of the ...

(AFP) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:39:41 GMT

(AFP) - US President Barack Obama speaks during his first State of the Union address to Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on January 27.(AFP/Saul Loeb)

Kelsey Pacha (left) and Rob Fojtik are seen sitting outside ...

(AFP/Getty Images/File) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 05:39:41 GMT

(AFP/Getty Images/File) - Kelsey Pacha (left) and Rob Fojtik are seen sitting outside a US military recruiting center to protest after being barred from enlisting in the Army because they are gay, in Chicago, Illinois. A federal law currently bans openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from joining US military.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Scott Olson)

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks following a security meeting ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:47:57 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama speaks following a security meeting at the White House in Washington in this January 5, 2010 file photo. Obama is expected to talk about the "Don't ask, don't tell" rule that bars openly gay Americans from serving in the military during his State of the Union address this week. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/Files