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Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal

Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal - The US Senate voted yesterday to end America’s ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the US military, a historic reversal that ends one of the nation’s most controversial social policies and signifies growing political tolerance for gay rights.

The measure, which now heads to President Obama for his signature, will result in the lifting of the “don’t ask, don’t tell’’ rule that has led to the discharge of some 14,000 gay service members since it was established during the administration of President Bill Clinton 17 years ago.

Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal

Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts was among six Republicans who broke ranks to help Democrats overcome a Republican filibuster against the repeal measure, by a vote of 63 to 33; at least 60 votes were needed to move the measure ahead. Final passage came in a second vote yesterday afternoon, when it was approved 65 to 31, with eight Republicans in favor.

“I just posted on my Facebook: if you could only see the tears of joy in my eyes,’’ said Travis Hengen, of Weymouth, Mass., minutes after the Senate action. A 37-year-old former Army counterintelligence officer, he was discharged under the “don’t ask’’ policy in 2003. The Pentagon will now ready plans for eliminating the rule, taking what could be several months, as stipulated in the new law, to prepare for the transition.

Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal
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