ABC NEWS– The campaign to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell,”
which bars gays and lesbians from serving openly in the U.S. military,
gained a historic victory today with the Senate voting to end the
policy and send the bill to President Obama’s desk.
Sixty-five Senators, including six Republicans, voted in favor of the measure. The House approved repeal earlier this week.
Passage of the bill to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” is a major victory for Obama, who has promised to end the 17-year-old law and had come under intense pressure from gay rights groups to do so before Republicans take control of the House in January.
“It is time to close this chapter in our history. It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly,” Obama said in a statement hailing the historic Senate vote.
Still, advocates cautioned that gay and lesbian service members will not be immediately allowed to serve openly and could still face disciplinary action for revealing their sexual orientation.
The legislative repeal gives military leadership control of a timetable for implementing the change, stipulating that it can only occur after the president, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Congress “certify” the military is ready. After certification, there would be a 60-day grace period before it takes effect.
Continue reading about the Senate approving the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell here.
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