From CNN,
WASHINGTON (CNN) — A key U.S. Senate committee will hold a hearing on the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays and lesbians, according to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat.
The Senate Armed Services committee will hold the hearing in the fall, she said in a written announcement.
A committee spokeswoman confirmed that there will hearings, but that no specific legislation is under consideration.
"Don't ask, don't tell" is the policy that prevents openly gay troops from serving in the U.S. military.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton instituted it in 1993 as a way of loosening restrictions on gay men and lesbians serving in the armed forces — the policy ended the requirement that servicemen and women state their sexual orientation. But its opponents say it does not go far enough.
"'Don't ask, don't tell' is an unfair, outdated measure that violates the civil rights of some of our bravest, most heroic men and women," Gillibrand said in her statement. "By repealing this policy, we will increase America's strength — both militarily and morally."
Nearly 13,000 service members have been discharged for their sexual orientation since 1993, she said.
President Barack Obama has said he wants Congress to repeal the law, but gay rights groups have been angered that the president has not done more to hasten the change.
Since Obama took office, 265 service members have been discharged for being gay, according to Gillibrand.
Read more at this link:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/07/27/dont-ask-dont-tell-to-get-senate-committee-review-senator-says/
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