Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has warned Congress not to repeal the federal ban on gays openly serving in the military, the Associated Press reports. He says the military is not ready for a repeal at this point.

In a strongly worded letter, obtained by The Associated Press, Gates told a House committee on Friday that forcing policy changes on the military before it’s ready “would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that in essence their views, concerns and perspectives do not matter.”

Gay rights advocates want legislation this year that would freeze military firings of openly gay service members, and some lawmakers are planning to offer such a bill.

Gates says he maintains his support for an eventual lifting of the ban — which is codified in federal law — but that the troops must be consulted before any steps are taken.

Which makes sense. We’re fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, North Korea has taken an interest in destroying South Korean ships, Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons, and Russian military companies are now marketing missiles for terrorists. Now is the time for level-headed, reality-based decisions — not major alterations based solely on classroom theories and social experimentation.

Update: The letter was co-signed by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.