‘Most US troops’ okay with openly gay colleagues

The majority of US troops and their families are okay about serving alongside openly gay colleagues, according to Pentagon sources familiar with the findings of an internal survey.

According to Associated Press, sources familiar with the research say most troops and their families believe that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell should be repealed.

A minority of troops are understood to be strongly opposed to allowing out gay servicemembers in the military and say they will quit if this happens.

The Pentagon has not commented on reports and says it will not do so until December 1st, when a review of the policy is due to be completed.

Around 400,000 troops were sent the survey in July, which asked them about sharing shower facilities with gay colleagues and how they would feel if a servicemember’s gay partner lived in families’ accommodation.

Their families were also surveyed.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to rule today on whether the Pentagon can continue to enforce the ban while it considers a legal challenge against it.

The ban was lifted for just eight days earlier this month after a judge ruled it was unconstitutional. However, the government appealed and was granted a temporary stay.

President Obama met gay rights groups this week to discuss repeal. He supports lifting the ban but is seeking repeal through Congress rather than the courts.

More than 13,500 out gay troops have been sacked under the 1993 law.