Federal court orders immediate halt to gay military ban
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don't ask, don't tell is over.
It came in response to a motion brought by Log Cabin Republicans, a group for gay GOP members, which last year persuaded a lower court judge to declare the ban unconstitutional
After the government appealed U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips' decision, the 9th Circuit agreed to keep the policy in place until it could consider the matter
The ruling was the latest legal development in the effort by gay rights supporters to end the policy
"The circumstances and balance of hardships have changed, and (the government) can no longer satisfy the demanding standard for issuance of a stay," the panel said
He cautioned gay servicemembers against rushing to declare their sexual orientations until the government declares that it intends to abide by the ruling
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