The day after Monday’s National Coming Out Day, a federal court judge ordered an injunction on the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.  

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell has been the policy of the United States Armed Forces since 1993. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is viewed as a compromise measure. Former President Bill Clinton ran for office with the promise of allowing all citizens being able to serve in the military regardless of their sexual orientation.

However, during his tenure as president in the 1980s , Ronald Reagan had created military policy that read “homosexuality is incompatible with military service.” Because of Reagan’s military policy, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is seen as a compromise between the already existing policy and Clinton’s campaign promise.

Justine Hollingshead , the director of the GLBT Center at the University, said the GLBT community and their allies are pleased by the news, but are waiting to see what happens.

“We’re waiting to see if Obama will appeal the injunction or place a stay on it,” Hollingshead said, “[Tuesday] was an immediate injunction. That’s good news, definitely a step in the right direction.

Harry Barbee , a freshman in political science, said he is pleased with the immediate injunction.

“I am extremely proud and inspired by the recent ruling to suspend the discriminatory DADT policy,” Barbee said.  “It is a policy that blatantly violates bi /homosexuals’ rights to the First and Fifth amendments.”

According Lt . Col . Kenneth Ratashak , professor of military science, the immediate injunction of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell probably will not affect N.C . State’s Army ROTC.

“It probably won’t affect our Army ROTC,” Ratashak said, adding that he’d know more when the law was rewritten, replaced or repealed.

Barbee said the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell issue if far from settled.

“This battle is not yet won, as the Obama administration still has the option to appeal the ruling,” Barbee said. “We will have to see how it plays out.”

According to Student Body President Kelly Hook, members of the GLBT community and their allies gathered Monday to paint the Free Expression Tunnel in support of National Coming Out Week.

“Students need to understand what we say and what we do impacts others,” Hook said. “There was some negative comments written, but there were also positive comments written.”  

Hollingshead said it is sad that people painted over what the GLBT community had painted.

“It is unfortunate that people have strong hatred and ignorance to the GLBT community,” Hollingshead said.  “It’s bad to have someone walking through the Free Expression Tunnel who is struggling with their sexual orientation and not feel wanted on campus.”