According to Jeff Cleghorn — an Atlanta lawyer who serves on the national board of directors of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network — the House Armed Services Committee is tackling the issue. There is pending legislation in the House co-sponsored by 143 representatives to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military.

The hearing will be at 2 p.m. in the Rayburn Building. The committee will hear from four retired military officers and Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, a conservative group that opposes revoking "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

As our July 2 cover story, Pride & Patriotism, mentioned, a recent Gallop poll revealed that 79 percent of Americans think gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve. Even former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn, who pushed through the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, has said it is time to review it.