News (USA)

Obama marks 5 years since end of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

He says the national defense requires the talents of every American, regardless of sexual orientation.
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE | Associated Press
Obama marks 5 years since end of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

HONOLULU — President Barack Obama is marking five years since he signed legislation repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Obama says his greatest responsibility as commander in chief is to keep Americans safe. And he says the national defense requires the talents of every American, regardless of sexual orientation. He says openly gay and bisexual men and women in uniform are making the military a stronger organization.

The Pentagon is currently studying whether to lift a longstanding prohibition on allowing openly transgender people to serve in the military.

Obama signed bipartisan legislation repealing the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell” in December 2010.

The policy was formally repealed in September 2011.

Obama marked the anniversary while on vacation in Hawaii.

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