Forces' gay ruling challenged

The US Justice Department will appeal against a federal judge's ruling that the armed forces' "don't ask, don't tell" policy violates gays' rights to equal participation in national defence. In New York, District Judge Eugene Nickerson has ruled that a military "called on to fight for the principles of equality and free speech embodied in the United States Constitution should embrace those principals in its own ranks". The issue is expected to be decided eventually by the Supreme Court.

AP - Washington