6/8/2009 11:15 AM
ET
(RTTNews) -
The Supreme Court rejected a challenge requesting a reversal of the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy Monday. The policy forbids gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.
The case was upheld at the request of the Obama administration, whose lawyers said that the lower court that also upheld the policy was correct in doing so.
The case centers on a lawsuit filed by 12 former service members who were forced to leave the military due to their sexual orientation.
Of the 12, James E. Pietrangelo, II, requested to have the case move forward after it was thrown out by a federal appeals court in Boston threw out the suit. The case is Pietrangelo v. Gates, 08-824.
The call by administration lawyers to uphold the ruling runs counter to an announcement made by President Barack Obama last week, when he recognized June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, or LGBT, pride month.
In a presidential statement, Obama marked the anniversary of the LGBT pride movement and added that the government will "commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans."
LGBT issues, specifically same sex marriage, have dominated the news lately as controversy over the issue sparked demonstrations.
Obama skirted the issue in his announcement, although he noted that he is the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration.
Instead, he stressed an end to harassment and "supporting civil unions."
"LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect," Obama said.
"I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans," he added. "These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security."
by RTT Staff Writer
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