End to ban on gay people serving in US army

AFTER years of debate and months of preparations, the US military passed a historic milestone yesterday with the repeal of a ban on gay people serving openly in uniform.

Repeal of the 18-year-old legal ban took effect at 12.01am, ending a prohibition that President Barack Obama said had forced gay and lesbian service members to “lie about who they are”. Some in Congress still oppose the change, but top Pentagon leaders have certified that it will not undermine the military’s ability to recruit or to fight wars.

Obama issued a statement saying he is confident that lifting the ban will enhance US national security.