WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Most U.S. military personnel said they wouldn't object to serving beside openly gay troops, people familiar with a Pentagon survey said.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was expected to rule Friday on whether the "don't ask, don't tell" policy can be enforced while the court considers a legal challenge against it, The Washington Post reported.
The survey results are expected to be part of a Defense Department report about how the military would end enforcing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bans openly gay individuals from serving in the military. The report is to be delivered to President Obama Dec. 1.
A majority of survey participants said they were OK with serving beside openly gay troops. But some said they objected strongly to serving with gays and lesbians and indicated they would quit if the policy is changed, sources told the Post.
The survey was sent in July to 400,000 active-duty and reserve troops. It asked if they had ever shared a room or showers with homosexual peers. And it asked for their reaction to an openly gay service member living with a same-sex partner on base. A similar survey was sent to military spouses.
A three-judge panel last week temporarily blocked enforcement of a lower-court ruling that directed the government to end "don't ask, don't tell." The panel said it wanted time to consider a Justice Department request to delay enforcement of the repeal. In addition, "don't ask, don't tell" opponents filed papers with the 9th circuit, opposing a delay in enforcing the repeal of the policy and law.
Legislation to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" passed the U.S. House of Representatives but not the Senate.
