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'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Ruled Unconstitutional by Federal Judge in California
On the heels of a decision last month that deemed a ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, a federal judge in Riverside today ruled that the military's “don't ask, don't tell” policy is also a constitutional violation.
"U.S. District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips said the policy banning gays did not preserve military readiness, contrary to what many supporters have argued, saying evidence shows that the policy in fact had a 'direct and deleterious effect’' on the military," according to the LA Times.
Phillips said she would additionally place an injunction so that the government could not enforce the policy. The U.S. Justice Department, however, can make an appeal.