Obama Certifies End of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

DADT ENDS. News just broke. 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release July 22, 2011
Statement by the President on Certification of Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Today, we have taken the final major step toward ending the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law that undermines our military readiness and violates American principles of fairness and equality. In accordance with the legislation that I signed into law last December, I have certified and notified Congress that the requirements for repeal have been met. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will end, once and for all, in 60 days—on September 20, 2011.

As Commander in Chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness. Today’s action follows extensive training of our military personnel and certification by Secretary Panetta and Admiral Mullen that our military is ready for repeal. As of September 20th, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country. Our military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian.

I want to commend our civilian and military leadership for moving forward in the careful and deliberate manner that this change requires, especially with our nation at war. I want to thank all our men and women in uniform, including those who are gay or lesbian, for their professionalism and patriotism during this transition. Every American can be proud that our extraordinary troops and their families, like earlier generations that have adapted to other changes, will only grow stronger and remain the best fighting force in the world and a reflection of the values of justice and equality that the define us as Americans.

Accompanying documents here.


Great news. Thank you very much, Mr. President, for promoting and finishing the repeal of this hateful, hurtful, unncessary law.

The only downside is: Gay and lesbian spouses of military personnel will not be able to use family housing or obtain medical care, travel, and other benefits that straight couples get because the federal government - due to DOMA - does not recognize same-sex marriages. So that's the next big hurdle.

Still - what an historic change for our country. And I have lived to see this day.


DADTCert


Further reading:  For the record, Mike Signorile gives his recap of DADT repeal efforts since the President's State of the Union address in January 2010.