"Don't ask, don't tell."

It's a 15-year-old law that governs gays in the U.S. military and what a House panel spent much of Wednesday morning debating at the Capitol. Several Democrats want to get rid of it, so gays and lesbians can serve openly without fear.

In an Armed Services Committee meeting, former Army special operations sargent major Brian Jones spoke against repealing the 1993 law. He says that doing so would not help the war on terrorism.

"Too much time is being spent on how we can hinder our great men and women in the military. Let's do what we can to lift their morale, give them more resolve and motivate them to continue the absolutely great job they are doing," said Jones.

But a now open gay, who had served in the military for five years, Sioux Falls native Matt Norris couldn't disagree more. Although he didn't attend the conference, he says the law should be repealed to give equal rights to those who choose alternative lifestyles.

He spoke with KSFY on the phone from his home in Arlington, VA and said, "I think people would welcome the opportunity to serve and serve openly and not have to hide who they are."

Norris served as an Air Force captain and calls the law unfair. He said, "It's an injustice to gays and lesbians who want to serve honorably in the military and yet can't reveal their sexual orientation."

But in the committee meeting Wednesday morning, Jones made a plea to the members of the House.

"I hope this Congress will not make their job more difficult and dangerous than they already are by repealing the solid law that continues to support the morale, discipline and readiness of our troops."

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KSFY's Drew Sandholm can be reached by phone at (605) 373-7372 or by e-mail.