Judge Says She's Inclined To Reject Government Request

RIVERSIDE (AP) — A federal judge says she's inclined to deny a government request to delay her order that immediately stopped the military from enforcing its ban on openly gay service members.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips says she would review the arguments from Justice Department lawyers and issue a ruling by the end of the day Monday.

The military has promised to abide by Phillips' injunction as long as it remains in place.

But government lawyers last week asked her to stay the ruling while it prepares an appeal.

Under the 1993 law, the military cannot inquire into service members' sexual orientation and punish them for it as long as they keep it to themselves.

President Barack Obama has said he wants the law repealed in Congress.

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