Fulfilling campaign pledges of the last two Democratic presidents, Obama on Dec. 22 signed a law that repeals a 17-year ban on gay men and women serving openly in the US armed services.
Early in his first term, President Bill Clinton tried to lift a longstanding ban on homosexuals serving in the military, but he ran into strong opposition from Congress. As a compromise, the administration developed a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which Congress approved in 1993. That’s been the law of the land ever since. Obama, too, sought to end the policy, and Congress proved to be ready for such a step this time. Human rights groups compare the vote with President Harry Truman’s ending the ban on racial segregation in the military in 1948.
Six GOP senators joined Democrats to ensure the repeal would not get stymied in the Senate. The House had approved the measure on Dec. 15, with 15 Democrats and 15 Republicans voting with the other side of the aisle. The votes came after a Pentagon survey this fall found a majority of service members did not object to gays serving openly in the military. Some top brass, however, have lately expressed concerns that allowing gays to serve openly could be disruptive to the cohesion of combat units.
At least 60 days before the law takes effect, the president and the defense secretary must certify that ending the policy won’t adversely affect military readiness or morale. "We are not going to be dragging our feet to get this done," Obama said at the signing ceremony.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
