WASHINGTON – Opponents of the ban on gays openly serving in the military used the first hearing on the issue in 15 years to argue that times have changed and the nation no longer can afford to exclude anyone based on sexual orientation.

Supporters of the ban, commonly referred to as “don't ask, don't tell,” fired back during the House Armed Services subcommittee hearing yesterday. They said repealing existing policy would have serious repercussions, including the loss of morale among heterosexual troops who might leave the service in droves.

Even advocates of change see little hope of overturning the ban until next year at the earliest, because President Bush backs the current law. Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, chairwoman of the subcommittee, said she called the hearing to “start a conversation” about the issue.

Eric Alva, a retired Marine staff sergeant who lost his right leg in the Iraq war, told the panel that when he confided his homosexuality to fellow Marines it didn't cause a problem.

“The typical reaction from my straight, often married friends was, 'so what,' ” Alva said.

Supporters of the ban said the presence of known homosexuals would create a dangerous distraction in the close, intimate quarters in which troops are often forced to live.

Brian Jones, a retired Army sergeant major who served in the elite Delta Force, warned lawmakers not to follow the example of several European nations that allow gays to serve openly. “They don't teach the same value system that we have,” Jones said.