Pentagon to propose 'way forward' on lifting gay ban

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department next week will propose for the first time a "way forward" on lifting the military's ban on gays from serving openly, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Thursday.

President Obama has vowed to work with Congress this year to repeal the 1993 law, but Democrats have been waiting to hear from the military on how it could be done.

In special hourlong testimony Tuesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen are expected to outline steps the military will take to lessen the impact on a force fighting two wars.

"The secretary and the chairman have and will continue to work on an implementation plan, and we'll be able to share (details) with you early next week," Morrell said.

Between 1997 and 2008, the Defense Department fired more than 10,500 service members for violating the policy. The number of dismissals dropped sharply after the 2001 terrorist attacks as forces were heavily deployed around the world, with half as many troops fired in 2008 as in 2001.

Obama has promised to repeal the law but has done little to press the issue in his first year as president. In his State of the Union address Wednesday, Obama received a standing ovation from some members of Congress and Gates when he suggested that would change.

Next week's hearing would make good on that pledge. But short of a promise to suspend dismissals, gay rights' activists are likely to remain frustrated.

"The time for broad statements is over. The time to get down to business is overdue," said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Asked Thursday whether the Army is ready for such a change, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey did not directly answer the question.

"What you heard last night was the beginning of a process," Casey said during an appearance at a Washington think tank.

Further complicating the issue is debate among Democrats on Capitol Hill. Sen. Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, supports a repeal of the law and scheduled Tuesday's hearing on the issue.

But his counterpart in the House, Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., has said it is not wise to impose such upheaval while troops are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And Republicans could score political points against Democrats if it appears as though the party won't listen to the advice of military commanders.