US to review military's gay policy
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The US is moving a step closer to lifting its ban on gay men and women serving opening in the military. The country's most senior military officer says he can no longer support a policy that asks young men and women to lie about who they are. The issue almost derailed Bill Clinton's first term 17 years ago and it's set to spark furious debate again. Now, President Barack Obama says he wants the ban lifted.
Presenter: Lisa Millar, North America correspondent
Speakers: Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman, US Joint Chiefs of Staff; Robert Gates, US Defense Secretary; John McCain, Republican senator; Jefferson Sessions, Republican senator
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MILLAR: For decades the protesters have taken to the streets over this issue. Bill Clinton tried to lift the ban on gays in the military in his first term but became so mired in the argument he had to accept the 'don't ask, don't tell' compromise that allowed gays to serve as long as they kept their sexuality a secret. But it's a different era, and Barack Obama says it's time to life the ban altogether. And he has the personal backing of the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mike Mullen.
MULLEN: It is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do. No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being trouble by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.
MILLAR: Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Admiral Mullen became the highest ranking officer to support changing the law. And the Defence Secretary Robert Gates made it clear he was ready to follow the orders of the Commander in Chief.
GATES: I fully support the President's decision. The question before us is not whether the military prepares to make this change, but how we must, how we best prepare it for it. We've received our orders from the Commander in Chief and we are moving out accordingly.
MILLAR: And those comments angered several members of the committee, including John McCain the former presidential candidate and Vietnam veteran.
JOHN MCCAIN: I'm deeply disappointed in your statement Secretary Gates. I was around here in 1993 and was engaged in the debates. This would be a substantial and controversial change to a policy that has been successful for two decades. It would also present yet another challenge to our military at a time of already tremendous stress and strain.
LISA MILLAR: Senator McCain was followed by others including Republican Jefferson Sessions.
SESSIONS: I just hope that as we discuss it you'll recognise first that Congress has made that decision, it's not yours to make, and we'll have to change it if we do change it, and second you shouldn't use your power to in any way influence the dicussion or evaluation of the issue.
MILLAR: While the debate isn't creating the buzz that occurred almost two decades ago, it's been long-awaited by activists. Lt Dan Choi came out as gay while in the military. He was discharged and is now waiting for his formal notice.
CHOI: I learned what made West Point, West Point - and that is the honour code. You will not lie, and you won't tolerate those who lie. So why do we have two different standards, and that's why we need reform.
MILLAR: It may be 17 years since Congress last debated the issue, but that won't make it any less controversial or difficult. It won't happen quickly - the defence force will begin a year-long review to ensure the change, if it occurs, happens as smoothly as possible.
