'Don't ask, don't tell' fades away

[ProSense]

'Don't ask, don't tell' fades away

By MACKENZIE WEINGER

More than 17 years after a tortured political compromise that left no one happy, “don’t ask, don’t tell” is done.

On Tuesday, President Bill Clinton’s 1993 directive that allowed gays and lesbians to serve in the military without discrimination as long as they stayed in the closet will be formally repealed. The measure had mandated that applicants weren’t to be asked about their sexuality, and it barred military brass from investigating a service member’s sexual orientation without credible evidence.

The repeal of DADT — which stirred anger among conservatives and liberals alike, touching off a nearly two-decades-long debate — was approved by Congress last year, signed by President Barack Obama, who had made it a campaign pledge in 2008, and given final authorization by military leaders this summer.

“As of Sept. 20, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country,” Obama said in a statement in July.

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Repeal of gay ban welcomed by civilian partners

[young but wise]

1. K&R

[William769]

2. One thing people seem to forget is what happened to Gays Before 1993. NT

[Tarheel_Dem]

3. Well, of course this was only a big deal when it could be used as a sledgehammer against Pres. Obama

Now? Not so much. :shrug:

[vaberella]

4. Now it's OFFICIAL. Thanks O, thanks all the protesters &fighters. On to DOMA.

I can't wait til that's good and gone.

[Whisp]

5. HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!

thankyou, Mr. President!

thankyou thankyou thankyou

[lunatica]

6. Ya see. Progress does happen

Never give up hope. Never.

[jenmito]

7. K&R! n/t

[SadPanda]

8. I remember when the DU LGBT community was on FIRE bashing away at Obama...

Shit got done. By Obama. Now get behind him. Imagine what a two term Obama accomplishes.

[yardwork]

9. It didn't fade away by itself. It had to be pushed. People had to fight.

People had to chain themselves to the White House fence and get fired from their jobs and go to jail. Bad things don't just fade away. They have to be fought against.

Thank you to all the fighters. Thank you to the Department of Defense and to President Obama for doing the right thing.