Forward March

By Harriet Barovick, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Autumn De Leon, Lina Lofaro, Desa Philadelphia, Chris Taylor

ELEMENT OF SURPRISE The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Britain's 30-year ban on homosexuals in the military was unlawful. A look at military policy around the globe:

No ban, but keep it out of the barracks France, Spain, Belgium, Canada, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands

No ban, but no gays in leadership roles Germany

Exempted from mandatory service Italy, Finland, Taiwan, Greece

Don't ask, don't tell U.S.

Can't serve because of untreatable disease Chile

Banned Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela

No such thing as gay Japan, Russia, China