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Following is the statement by President Barack Obama, marking the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the policy which prohibited gay and lesbians from serving openly in the U.S. military.
Today, the discriminatory law known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is finally and formally repealed. As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service.I was proud to sign the Repeal Act into law last December because I knew that it would enhance our national security, increase our military readiness, and bring us closer to the principles of equality and fairness that define us as Americans. Today’s achievement is a tribute to all the patriots who fought and marched for change; to Members of Congress, from both parties, who voted for repeal; to our civilian and military leaders who ensured a smooth transition; and to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform who showed that they were ready to move forward together, as one team, to meet the missions we ask of them.
For more than two centuries, we have worked to extend America’s promise to all our citizens. Our armed forces have been both a mirror and a catalyst of that progress, and our troops, including gays and lesbians, have given their lives to defend the freedoms and liberties that we cherish as Americans. Today, every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation’s founding ideals.
In the 17 years since “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was enacted, more than 14,000 service members have been discharged from the military due to their sexual orientation.
Additional coverage is here.
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“Now we are stepping forward, to a new day, a new life. A life of openness, integrity, of honor. At last, our country has accepted us — not for who we love or how we love but who we are.”
- Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Mills
Amen! Army Staff Sergeant LaMyra McGee
It’s about F**king time….
Amen
Wrong! Trans people are still unable to serve openly!
I applaud the decision to repeal Dont Ask Dont Tell but who’s counting anyway
It’s about damn time. Hell they serve & die 4 this country just like the str8 people. Now they really have something 2 be proud of. Wish it was like that when I was n the Navy.
Welcome to the 1990′s, America! Now that LGBT can serve, please DO NOT!!!!
hell yeah. its time for this free country to become a real country of freedom!!!
I’m just waiting for him, or someone “important”, to say, “Now no Americans will have to fight to marry who they like, to maintain a job that they are qualified for, to give blood freely, etc.”
oohrah !!! finally
Trans people CAN NOT serve! If you come out as Trans you will be discharged because you have a “mental illness”
No matter what your race, religion, ethinicity, sexual orientation, gender or age is, YOU ARE STILL A HUMAN BEING. It states in the Constitution that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, nowhere following that statement does it say unless you are LGBTQ, a certain race or gender. It’s about time they don’t have to hide who they are. Being LGBTQ should NOT interfere with how you want to live your life. We are all human beings and we all should have the same rights. You can’t help the sexual orientation you are and you can’t help who you fall in love with. If you love someone then you should be with them, that is your right, DON’T EVER LET ANYBODY TAKE THAT FROM YOU. STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO STAND ALONE. ALL IT TAKES IS ONE VOICE TO BE HEARD, AND THE LOUDER THE VOICE OR THE MORE PEOPLE HEAR THAT VOICE, THEN THAT ONE VOICE CAN TURN INTO THOUSANDS IF NOT MILLIONS.
@teagan beard: :( damn
well it will get better for them too soon :)
when gay marriage is legal let me know!
I<3OBAMA :')
YAY LGBT PRIDE!!!!!! <3
no, but any patriotic American who yearns to wear the uniform not of own assigned gender will still need to lie
This is great! I can’t believe people are still complaining, though! Miracles don’t happen overnight; they happen in small steps. One thing at a time. People can’t focus on everything at once. I’m so happy it got repealed. Finally!! =D
Trans People should Be Able to Be In the Military also Not Just Gay People LGBT Which means Lesbian Gay Bi Ands Trans so Obama you forgot the TRANS!! I’m Gay btw not trans jaja<3
But the married ones will still have to lie on their federal tax returns.
finally he does something right. But don’t get use to it.
Yeah, I’m really glad and celebrating that there won’t be good soldiers discharged for something that has nothing to do with their military performance. At the same time, I DO think they really should work on de-homophobifying the military now so stuff won’t happen like that kid that got beat to death just b/c the others in the platoon heard a false rumor he was TG.
Hua! :)
Now if the partners were recognized and got benefits!!
A big step…(:
VERY big step for us! Now, let’s hope they will eventually give us our benefits!
About time.
Good!
Uncle Sam on the way out of the middle ages and into the renaissance. That took some time.
fantastic! best news ive heard in a long time, wow! :D incredible, well done Obama :D