Defense Dept. Allows Active Duty Military To Wear Uniforms In Gay Pride Parade

(Reuters) - The Department of Defense will allow active duty members of all branches of the U.S. military to don their service uniforms while marching in the upcoming San Diego gay pride parade, event organizers said on Thursday.

  Barry approves!

The move, announced the day before the weekend festivities are to begin, comes in the wake of a repeal that went into effect last September of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, under which homosexuals were allowed to serve in the military only if they did not divulge their sexual orientation.

San Diego has a large military presence due to its naval base and the nearby Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

"We are hopeful that those who have feared coming to share in the joy of Pride out of concern for losing their military careers will be able to finally celebrate their full and complete selves," San Diego LGBT Pride, the organizer of the event, said in a statement.