WASHINGTON – The White House is talking with gay rights activists, lawmakers and Pentagon officials about a push to hasten the repeal of a ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military.
The group was meeting Monday at the White House to discuss a faster pace to end the Clinton-era ban on openly gay service members. Lawmakers are expected to introduce legislation this week that would repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy this year — sooner than expected — although implementation would have to await a Defense Department review.
If Congress approves the repeal, it would still take several years before gays and lesbians could serve openly while the Pentagon writes a policy based on its review.
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