Gay Vets Booted Under DADT Sue for Reinstatement

Three military veterans who were discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell sued the government yesterday to be reinstated and to pressure lawmakers to repeal the law before a new Congress is sworn in. The lawsuit filed in US District Court in San Francisco also seeks to have the ban on openly gay troops declared unconstitutional and therefore unenforceable for any service members.

"I don't feel like I'm going up against the military, I really don't. I just feel like this is a necessary step for doing away with this policy," said one former Air Force staff sergeant. "I believe the military, the majority of troops I've served with, and those who have been studied to death are with us." The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network director said the lawsuit was meant as a warning to lawmakers that if they don't act to repeal DADT, the courts could step in and order an integration timetable that is less to the Pentagon's liking. (More Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal stories.)