Court orders halt to gay military ban

SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal appeals court ordered the U.S. government yesterday to cease immediately enforcing the ban on openly gay members of the military, a move that could speed the repeal of the 17-year-old rule.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the "don't ask, don't tell" policy must be lifted, now that the Obama administration has concluded it's unconstitutional to treat gays differently under the law. The court noted that Congress repealed the policy in December.

Pentagon officials said yesterday they will comply with the court order and are taking immediate steps to inform commanders in the field. -- AP