Quote:
WASHINGTON — After a 17-year struggle, the Senate on Saturday cleared the way for repealing the Pentagon’s ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military.
By a bipartisan vote of 63 to 33, the Senate acted to cut off debate on a measure that would allow President Obama to declare an end to the Clinton-era policy, known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which allows gay members of the armed forces to serve only if they keep their sexual orientation a secret.
The vote was a historic moment that some equated with the decision to end racial segregation in the military. It followed a review by the Pentagon that found little concern in the military about ending the ban and was backed by Pentagon officials as a better alternative to a court-ordered end.
Backers of the repeal said that it was long past time to end what they saw as a discriminatory practice that cost the military valuable personnel and forced American troops to lie in order to serve their country.
|
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/us...cs/19cong.html
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' will officially and finally be repealed after 17 years
today
Final vote on "don't ask, don't tell" at 3 p.m.
Update*** Final vote 65-31: Senate has just voted to end ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military.