Gays Celebrate Repeal
Gays and lesbians celebrated as President Obama signed a bill repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that was signed into law by President Clinton. But before the ban is completely lifted several steps must be taken.
The Department of Defense will have to go through countless regulations and rules to see if they need to be changed to correlate with the intent of the anti-gay ban. The president, Congress and military leaders will have to certify the ban will not compromise troop cohesion and military readiness. Troops will have to be educated to handle the lifestyle changes that will be required.
The Pentagon released an 87-page “Support Plan for Implementation” of the DADT repeal. Among the recommendations are: Prohibiting the construction of separate shower and bathroom facilities based on sexual orientation, and prohibiting the assignment of housing based on sexual orientation.
Another recommendation is that no new procedures will be developed for the early separation of Service members based on opposition to repeal or to serving and living with gay and lesbian Service members.
The law “will strengthen our national security and uphold the ideals our fighting men and women defend,” Obama told a cheering crowd of gay and lesbian service members and their supporters in Washington. “No longer will thousands of men and women in uniform be asked to live a lie or look over their shoulder while serving the country they love.”
