Surveys support openly gay in the military

The long-awaited Pentagon survey of military personnel found that the majority sees little negative impact if and when gays are allowed to serve openly in the U.S. armed forces.

The possible repeal of a 17-year policy of "don't ask/don't tell" was uncertain because of strong Republican resistance in Congress to a change; also, a federal court order to repeal the ban immediately is currently under appeal in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

At least the survey figures are in: the Pentagon canvass of 400,000 members of the military found 46.1 percent said that troop readiness would not be affected, and an additional 6.8 percent said the repeal would be a positive step. Another 25 percent predicted mixed results.