US Senators to weigh military ban on gays

A key US Senate committee will hold a hearing in the coming months on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that forbids gays to serve openly in the US military, a lawmaker announced Monday.

Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Carl Levin has agreed to hold such a session "this fall," Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a foe of the policy, said in a statement that did not give a precise date.

At least 265 men and women had been discharged under the policy since US President Barack Obama took office in January, according to a left-of-center Washington think tank.

"This policy is wrong for our national security and wrong for the moral foundation upon which our country was founded," said Gillibrand, whose home state is New York.

"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is an unfair, outdated measure that violates the civil rights of some of our bravest, most heroic men and women. By repealing this policy, we will increase America's strength -- both militarily and morally," she added.

Obama has drawn fire for not taking steps to freeze or repeal the rule, saying the US Congress is the best venue for undoing the policy, which was crafted in 1993.

About 13,000 US service members have been discharged under the policy since then, and estimated costs through 2003 run at 95.4 million dollars in recruiting costs and 95.1 million in training replacements, according to the US Government Accountability Office.

An overwhelming number of Americans support allowing openly gay men and lesbians to serve in the US military.

The policy requires gays to keep quiet about their sexual orientation or face expulsion.