Now that a federal judge has enjoined Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the inevitable next step has arrived: For the first time, military recruiters have been told to accept openly gay applicants attempting to enlist in the armed forces. This action is part of the Department of Defense’s compliance with the injunction against DADT.
Unfortunately this leaves any new recruits or other servicemen who have come out since the enjoinment in legal limbo, as a reversal of the injunction by higher courts could lead to a discharge of those serving openly in the future. Until either the appeals process is finalized or Congress repeals the legislation, the battle to end DADT is not yet over and neither is the threat to gay servicemen worldwide.