NEW “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL” REPEAL BID

The US House of Representatives has voted 250-175 in favour of a new bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, the first step in another bid to end the discriminatory law.

Wednesday’s vote was welcomed by LGBT activists and President Obama and comes after a recent attempt to repeal the ban on gay and lesbian military personnel failed.

That legislation was included as part of a wider military bill, but the newest effort is a standalone bill that could receive more support.

The bill must now go before the Senate, it’s final hurdle, where it will face its stiffest opposition from Republican lawmakers who oppose the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal.

Amid mounting pressure to end the law before the end of the year, the Senate may vote on the bill as early as next week.

Meanwhile, a new poll by the Washington Post has revealed that 77 percent of Americans believe that openly gay and lesbian people should be allowed to serve in the military.