Obama signs law allowing gays in military

WASHINGTON - A measure that allows homosexuals to serve openly in the US military was signed into law Wednesday by President Barack Obama.

The previous ban on open service — known as don’t ask, don’t tell — was implemented in the 1990s as a compromise measure, but grew increasingly unpopular as homosexuals serving in the armed forces feared being dismissed if their sexuality became known.

The repeal of the ban was approved by the US Senate over the weekend after months of partisan debate on the measure.