discharged for being gay

Critics of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy are gaining new allies, including a few conservative congressmen and a West Point professor, as they press on multiple fronts to overturn the ban on out-of-the-closet gays and lesbians in the armed forces.

The Army discharged at least 11 soldiers in January for violating the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, according to stats released by DADT opponent and Virginia Rep. Jim Moran.

The ninth U.S. circuit court of appeals did not strike down the military's ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy. But it reinstated Maj. Margaret Witt's lawsuit, saying the Air Force must prove that her dismissal furthered the military's goals of troop readiness and unit cohesion.

Gay Democratic congressman Barney Frank said he will push for a modification of the military's antigay ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy when the Democrats take back Congress in January.

Prosecutors ask a federal judge to dismiss a challenge to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Twelve gay and lesbian veterans who were dismissed under the military's ''don't ask, don't tell'' policy asked a federal appeals court Wednesday to reinstate their lawsuit challenging the policy.