A federal judge in Southern California ruled Thursday that the U.S. military's ban on openly gay service members is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips granted a request for an injunction halting the government's “don't ask, don't tell” policy for gays in the military. Phillips said the policy doesn't help military readiness and instead has a “direct and deleterious effect” on the armed services. The lawsuit was the biggest legal test of the law in recent years and came amid promises by President Barack Obama that he will work to repeal the policy. Government lawyers argued that Phillips lacked the authority to issue a nationwide injunction and the issue should be decided by Congress. The injunction was sought by the Log Cabin Republicans, a 19,000-member group representing gay people that includes current and former military members. added by: Future_America
