Don't Ask Don't Tell to End Under Obama

Aide says gays will be able to serve openly in the military

The 15-year-old 'Don't ask don't tell' policy instituted by President Bill Clinton that barred gays from serving openly in the U.S. military will end under President-elect Obama's administration.

Obama aide Robert Gibbs made the disclosure in a video posted at the transition team's website Change.gov, in response to a posted question about whether the new president's would rescind the policy.

Gibbs replied, "You don't hear politicians give a one-word answer much. But it's 'Yes.'"

He later elaborated on his statement and said a repeal of the rule might have to wait, given the immediate challenges Obama faces, according to CNN.

The controversial policy was a compromise Clinton made as he backtracked on a promise to allow gays to serve when he was first elected. It prohibits the military from actively rooting out homosexuals in the ranks, but constitutes a cause for dismissal if a service member actively makes their homosexuality known.

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