Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
DADT 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Ends Sept 20
Share: 
by NowPublic Staff | July 22, 2011 at 01:20 pm
105 views | 0 Recommendations | 3 comments
Obama, Panetta, Joint Chiefs Sign DADT Death Warrant
President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen have certified that the U.S. military can function with openly gay service members.
Now begins a 60-day waiting period; "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will expire on September 20, 2011. DADT was introduced by President Bill Clinton; one of his campaign promises was to allow gays to serve openly in the military, and the US ended up with a major compromise.
DADT was repealed last year, pending certification from the Joint Chiefs, the President and the Secretary of Defense that homosexuals serving openly would not hurt America's military readiness, and that the existing military would accept openly gay soldiers in its ranks.
America's soldiers tended to lean towards "yes".
"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," Obama said in a written statement.
However, DADT is in effect until September 20, and soldiers can still get kicked out of the military for coming out, or for being outed. Over 13,600 soldiers have been kicked out of service due to DADT: when the US is involved in 2 1/2 wars, this is ill-advised.
Advertisement
NowPublic on Facebook
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 04:44 on July 23rd, 2011
• 14,317 people were discharged under DADT (November 1993 - July 2011). • 78,000 bisexuals, lesbians, and gays are serving in the U.S. military today. • Millions served successfully through the 20th and 21st centuries. • 41 other nations also allow open military service, regardless of sexual orientation.
at 04:45 on July 23rd, 2011
• 14,317 people were discharged under DADT (November 1993 - July 2011). • 78,000 bisexuals, lesbians, and gays are serving in the U.S. military today. • Millions served successfully through the 20th and 21st centuries. • 41 other nations also allow open military service, regardless of sexual orientation.
at 04:47 on July 23rd, 2011
• 14,317 people were discharged under DADT (November 1993 - July 2011). • 78,000 bisexuals, lesbians, and gays are serving in the U.S. military today. • Millions served successfully through the 20th and 21st centuries. • 41 other nations also allow open military service, regardless of sexual orientation.