EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION: Defense Secretary Approves Rules Protecting Gay Soldiers

March 25, 2010

Washington - Defense Secretary Robert Gates has supported new rules that will protect gay soldiers in the military from being easily discharged.

According to reports, Gates announced the implementation of new rules on how the Pentagon will implement the 1993 law, which prohibits gays from “serving openly” in the force.

This change will require a higher level of officer who will be allowed to start a “fact-finding” query into an alleged gay soldier’s case. In addition, the new rules will raise the level of the officer who can make an inquiry and the officer who can dismiss a soldier, said reports.

The improved guidelines will be enforced immediately.