The US military said it is accepting openly gay recruits for the first time in the country’s history, after a judge upheld an order ending a controversial ban on homosexual troops.

At least a dozen couples tied the knot in Washington DC today on the first day same-sex ceremonies were legally allowed in the city.

US President Barack Obama reaffirmed his campaign pledge to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech, but offered no timetable or specifics for acting on that promise.

US Democratic presidential contenders sought to underscore their differences with Republicans on gay and lesbian rights, but leading candidates also faced sharp questions on their reluctance to embrace marriage for same-sex couples.

A Michigan appeals court ruling that bans public universities and state and local governments from providing health insurance to partners of gay employees has alarmed gay rights advocates across the US.

The US senate has scuppered a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, in a defeat to “deeply disappointed” President George Bush.

Barbra Streisand is to receive a Human Rights Campaign award for her support of gay and lesbian issues, religious freedom, and racial and gender equality.

THE lesbian lover of a woman killed in the Pentagon terror attack on September 11 has been awarded $570,000 compensation from the US government in a landmark ruling.