Former Senator Chuck Hagel was approved today by the US Senate to be the new Secretary of Defense.

The narrow vote of 58 to 41 followed a bruising confirmation process that included the first-ever fillibuster to try and block a vote on the person nominated to lead the Pentagon.

While LGBT US troops can now serve openly, they cannot assume the same benefits their straight peers take for granted.

According to reports, the US Department of Defense plans on making sure family members of LGBT troops are covered by military benefits.

Former US Senator Chuck Hagel was asked about gays in the military and same-sex marriages being performed on military bases Thursday (31 January) during a sometimes contentious secretary of defense confirmation hearing.

'I am fully committed to implementing the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’' Hagel said in his opening statement, "And doing everything possible under current law to provide equal benefits to the families of all, all our service members.'

For the past week Use Your Mandate has been using Twitter, mailings in seven states and TV ads to knock Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama's nominee for Secretary of Defense. The group insists it's made up of Democratic party LGBT operatives, but its members have chosen to be anonymous.

Use Your Mandate, an anonymous LGBT organization, has produced an ad against Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense.

The 30 second ad charges Hagel  'does not share our values' and is anti-woman, gay, and Israel. The spot ends asking viewers to urge senators to block the nominee.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is certain Chuck Hagel will support LGBT troops if he gets to lead the Defense Department.

The retired four-star general was a guest on the Sunday news program Meet the Press. When asked how the Secretary of Defense nominee would handle the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Powell noted the policy was gone. He added Hagel would do what was required to treat gay and lesbian troops like their straight peers.

President Barack Obama on Monday (7 January) formally nominated former Senator Chuck Hagel to lead the US Defense Department.

Hagel has come under for in recent weeks for anti-gay comments he's made in the past but Obama has said he believes his appointee's apology is sincere and has stood by him.

From all indications President Barack Obama is prepared to pick former Senator Chuck Hagel to lead the Defense Department. Hagel once supported Don't Ask, Don't Tell, but now insists he's for open service. Gay right groups are giving him support (with caveats).

From all indications, Chuck Hagel will be nominated by President Barack Obama to be the new head of the Defense Department. According to the New York Times, Obama could make the announcement as early as next week.

The leading LGBT military family advocacy organization, OutServe-SLDN, is prepared with a to-do-list for Hagel.

President Barack Obama is standing behind Chuck Hagel's apology to former Ambassador, and gay man, James Hormel.

The president appeared on the news program Meet the Press. In the 30 minute interview he was asked about Hagel and his possible appointment as Secretary of Defense. In 1998, when Hormel was nominated to be the US ambassador to Luxembourg, he earned the ire of the then senator.

In the weeks leading up to the Us presiential election last month, the Log Cabin Republicans endorsed Republican Mitt Romney despite the candidate's staunch views against gay marriage.

Things can change rapidly in Washington, DC. Late yesterday (21 Dec.) former Ambassador James Hormel told the Washington Post he had doubts about  Chuck Hagel's apology. Sometime after that article was published, Hormel announced on his Facebook page all was forgiven.