Kerre Woodham: Pentagon finally admits being gay doesn't make you doolally

Gay men and women will no doubt be delighted to learn that being homosexual no longer defines them as mentally defective - at least in the eyes of the Pentagon.

There are a few hardcore homophobes who may still need to be worked on, but hell, if the Pentagon can be persuaded, maybe there's hope for the good ol' boys, too. A 1996 Pentagon document - which was recertified as current only three years ago - had listed homosexuality as a mental disorder alongside mental retardation, impulse-control disorders and personality disorders. Now, the Pentagon has conceded that being gay doesn't automatically make you doolally and will be amending the document over the next few days. Not that this means the US military will be welcoming the pink brigade with open arms, open hearts and open minds.

The US recruiting policy will allow gay men and women to serve in the military only if they stay silent about their sexual orientation and agree to abstain from gay sex while serving in the forces. I don't know whether that means they can bat for the other team, if they choose, with official approval - or whether all sex among soldiers is frowned upon. Again, that might have to be clarified. The reason for the official cold shoulder is that it's believed that having gay soldiers will undermine discipline and order in the ranks. From what we've seen at Abu Ghraib, a lack of discipline and order doesn't appear to be confined to gay soldiers.

A number of robust heterosexuals were dishonourably discharged in the wake of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners.

But I suppose crusty old generals fear that if their soldiers are making love not war, countries will never be conquered and empires will never be built.