With President Obama’s signature, the military’s ban on openly gay servicemembers was one step closer to being relegated to the history books last weekend.
Obama, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen last Friday signed the final certification to confirm that the military was ready for the lifting of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The law will officially be repealed Sept. 20.
Congress passed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act” late last year and the president signed the measure, but it required that the president, secretary of defense and joint chiefs of staff chairman sign off that military policies had been updated and servicemembers adequately trained before it took effect.
“As of Sept. 20, servicemembers will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country,” Obama said last week. “Our military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian.”
Joe Solmonese, executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, said the latest development is a tribute to the time and energy invested by innumerable supporters.
“There are many people who brought this historic day to fruition, starting with the president’s tremendous leadership and the steadfast allies in Congress who refused to give in to the lies and fear mongering,” he said. “Additionally, we thank all of the brave men and women who have continued to wear the uniform under a policy that forced them to hide who they are. The end of that shameful time is thankfully near.”
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was signed into law by President Clinton in 1993. Despite years of attempts to repeal the law, it remained unchanged until the successful effort led by former Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq War veteran to serve in Congress, in the last legislative session.
“In 60 days, no patriot who is willing to fight and die for the country they love will be required to live a lie,” Murphy said in a statement. “This action will improve our military readiness and provide greater equality for all Americans. As the author of the bill to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ I am incredibly proud that our nation is so close to this historic accomplishment. When I was in the Army, we didn’t care who you wrote home to, just that you were a good soldier. I look forward to the coming day when our law finally catches up.”
A Pentagon official said more than half of servicemembers have completed diversity training on the policy, with the rest expected to undergo training by September.
Obama credited cooperation from both military and civilian leadership for “moving forward in the careful and deliberate manner that this change requires.”
“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,” the president said. “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 define us as Americans.”
Audrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund, welcomed the certification, but urged Obama to go one step further and issue an executive order to the military banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Currently, military policies allow for those in “protected classes,” such as women and racial minorities, to make formal complaints based on employment discrimination. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not included in that process, and military officials have said those who experience anti-LGBT harassment should follow standard protocol in reporting it.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].