Supreme Court Allows 'Don't Ask'—for Now

The Supreme Court today allowed the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military to remain in place while a federal appeals court considers the issue. The court did not comment in denying a request from the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay rights group, to step into the ongoing federal court review of the issue.

Last month, a federal judge ruled that the policy violates the civil rights of gay Americans and issued an injunction barring the Pentagon from applying it. But the San Francisco-based appeals court said the policy could remain in effect while it considers the administration's appeal. The Supreme Court agreed. Justice Elena Kagan did not take part in the court's consideration of the issue. Kagan served as the administration's chief Supreme Court lawyer before she became a justice in August. (More Don't Ask, Don't Tell stories.)