Gates seeks flexibility in gay ban

WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the Pentagon is searching for ways to make the ban on gays serving openly in the military more flexible.

A transcript released by the Pentagon shows Gates is looking at several options that would make the military's policy "more humane," CNN reported Wednesday.

The defense secretary said one of the things they're considering is letting people continue to serve who may have been outed due to vengeance or a jilted lover.

Gates said while the law itself doesn't have much flexibility, there might be flexibility in how it is applied.

As the law now stands, anyone who is openly gay in the military is expelled if they are discovered.

The defense secretary says he has discussed the matter with President Obama and also during a meeting last week with his top commanders.

The president has been criticized for not moving fast enough to ask Congress to repeal the ban.