Obama Ends Ban on Gay Military Service

President Barack Obama on Friday formally signed off on ending the ban on gays serving openly in the military, doing away with a policy that's been controversial from the day it was enacted and making good on his 2008 campaign promise to the gay community.

The president joined Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen, the joint chiefs of staff chairman, in signing a notice and sending it to Congress certifying that military readiness would not be hurt by repealing the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

That means that 60 days from now the ban will be lifted.

"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," Obama said in a statement.

"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."

Friday's move was expected under the repeal law Congress passed in December. Before "don't ask, don't tell," the military did not allow gays to serve. But in 1993 Clinton said gays would be discharged only if their sexual orientation became known.

Repeal has drawn strong opposition from some in Congress, and there was initial reluctance from military leaders who worried it could cause a backlash and erode troop cohesion on the battlefield.

But two weeks ago, the chiefs of the military services told Panetta that ending the ban would not affect military readiness.

Advocacy groups that fought for the change called the decision Friday long-overdue, while opponents said it's a political payoff to left-leaning gay and lesbian activists.

"The president's certification of repeal is a monumental step, not just for those forced to lie in order to serve, but for all Americans who believe in fairness and equality," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

Elaine Donnelly, who heads the Center for Military Readiness, which has lobbied against repeal, said it will "undermine morale and readiness in the all-volunteer force."

The Pentagon is expected to spend the next 60 days preparing the troops for the change, and ironing out legal and technical details, including how it will affect housing, military transfers and other health and social benefits.

In most cases, the guidelines require that gays and lesbians be treated like any other member of the military.There will be differences, however. Same sex partners will not get the same housing and other benefits as married couples. Instead, they are more likely to be treated like unmarried couples.

Once the repeal is final, service members can no longer be discharged for openly acknowledging they are gay. That's the key change. And those who have been discharged previously based solely on the gay ban may apply to re-enter the force.

Service members may also designate their same-sex partners as beneficiaries for insurance and other benefits - something they may have avoided earlier for fear it would cause their dismissal.

One of the thornier issues is gay marriage.

An initial move by the Navy earlier this year to train chaplains about same-sex civil unions in states where they are legal was shelved after more than five dozen Congress members objected.

The training, lawmakers told Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, violated the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act by appearing to recognize and support same-sex marriages.

Politicians and Equality Advocates Respond

The following are statements provided by various politicians and repeal advocates:

"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," said President Obama. "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 day -- on September 20, 2011.

"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," the president continued. "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."

"Last December, this department began a careful and methodical process to prepare for the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' " said Defense Secretary Panetta.

"Today, as a result of strong leadership and proactive education throughout the force, we can take the next step in this process," added Panetta. "The President, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and I have certified that the implementation of repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the armed forces. This certification decision was carefully made after receiving input from the service chiefs, service secretaries and from all the combatant commanders, who stated their views that the force is prepared for this change."

"I believe the U.S. armed forces are ready for the implementation of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell," said Adm. Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "I conveyed that opinion yesterday to the President and to the secretary of defense, and today we certified this to Congress.

"My opinion is informed by close consultation with the service chiefs and the combatant commanders over the course of six months of thorough preparation and assessment, to include the training of a substantial majority of our troops," Mullen continued.

"Certification does not mark the end of our work," noted Mullen. "Ready though we are, we owe it to ourselves and to the nation we defend to continue to train the remainder of the joint force, to monitor our performance as we do so, and to adjust policy where and when needed.

"My confidence in our ability to accomplish this work rests primarily on the fact that our people are capable, well-led and thoroughly professional. I have never served with finer men and women. They will, I am certain, carry out repeal and continue to serve this country with the same high standards and dignity that have defined the U.S. military throughout our history."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat from New York, praised the certification and called for progress toward full legal equality for America's GLBT citizens and their families through passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that has been introduced in both the Senate, by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and the House, by Rep. Jerrold Nadler.

"Today is a proud day for America and our Armed Services," said Gillibrand. "Thousands of our brave men and women will no longer have to lie about who they are as they serve and fight for our nation. Putting this corrosive policy behind us will strengthen America both militarily and morally.

"Just as every American deserves the right to serve their country openly, honestly, and with integrity, every American deserves the right to marry the person they love and start a family. No politician should stand in their way," Gillibrand added. "Now is the time for Congress to take the next step toward fairness and equality in America, and end the discrimination currently enshrined in our marriage laws by passing the Respect for Marriage Act."

"Today, I applaud President Obama for choosing equality and human dignity over the prejudice and discrimination of the past," Rep. Mike Quigley, Democrat from Illinois, stated. "It is welcome news that in 60 days the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy will finally be a relic of another time and our brave men and women in uniform will no longer be forced to live under a cloak of secrecy and fear."

"I applaud President Obama for certifying the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell," said openly gay Rep. Jared Polis, Democrat from Colorado. "Our military will be stronger and our nation more secure because brave men and women who are gay will be able to serve without living in secret and talented service members won't find themselves discharged from the military just because of their sexual orientation.

GLBT equality leaders also weighed in with praise for the certification.

"Service members celebrate this historic announcement, and they are ready for this change," declared Aubrey Sarvis, the executive director of Servicemembers LEgal Defense Network, an advocacy organization for GLBT troops. "Our nation's top military leaders have testified that commanders see no significant challenges ahead, and now the President, Secretary Panetta, and Chairman Mullen have certified to Congress that the armed forces are prepared for the end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" said Army Veteran and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.

But repeal of the anti-gay ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemembers is just the beginning, Sarvis said. Equality in the right to serve must also entail equality in how servicemembers are treated.

"Every service member deserves equal respect in the work environment," Sarvis stated. " Signing legislation that allows for repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was necessary, but it is not sufficient for ensuring equality in the military. It's critical that gay and lesbian service members have the same avenues for recourse as their straight counterparts when it comes to harassment and discrimination."

"For far too long, the ban on openly gay service members has harmed our security and tarnished our values," said the head of the Human Rights Campaign, Joe Solmonese. "The President's certification of repeal is a monumental step, not just for those forced to lie in order to serve, but for all Americans who believe in fairness and equality."

"This is the final nail in the coffin for the discriminatory, outdated, and harmful 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law," said the executive director of Servicemembers United, Alexander Nicholson. "All servicemembers, the U.S. military, and the nation will be better off as a result of this long overdue change in policy."

"On September 20, 2011 we will be a better nation, a stronger nation and a nation that is now in step with its allies in allowing open service by gay and lesbian troops," said the director of the Palm Center, Aaron Belkin.

Pro-repeal organization VoteVets.org also issued a statement hailing the end of DADT.

"Qualified and able gay and lesbian Americans who did not wish to chose between military service and their personal integrity will now be able to strengthen the ranks of America's armed forces," said Richard Allen Smith, the group's vice chairman. "Those who are in the military now will no longer have to worry about being outed, allowing them to be completely focused on their combat mission.

"For the overwhelming majority of troops, adjusting to the repeal is not a big deal. But in terms of strengthening our Armed Forces, and protecting America, this is one of the most important moments in recent history," Smith added.

EDGE Web Producer Kilian Melloy contributed to this report.