An essay arguing for a repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was published in the military leadership’s “flagship” journal, after being reviewed by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Boston Globe reports that the article written by Colonel Om Prakash, a member of Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ staff, lays out an extensive argument against the law, which bans non-heterosexual members of the military from serving openly. Conservative arguments against a repeal frequently cite a danger to “unit cohesion” if units are made up of although it is not always clear if those arguing are trying to protect straight soldiers against gay cooties, or if they fear that non-heterosexual soldiers will try to seduce their colleagues during battle.

“After a careful examination, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that unit cohesion will be negatively affected if homosexuals serve openly,’’ Prakash writes. “Based on this research, it is not time for the administration to reexamine the issue; rather it is time for the administration to examine how to implement the repeal of the ban.’’

The Obama administration has so far resisted calls by LGBT rights groups to end the policy, for fear of repeating President Bill Clinton’s experiences when he tried to end anti-gay discrimination in the military in 1993, only to meet howls of protest from Congress and the military establishment.