'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repealed, gay military personnel can now serve openly

The repeal of the 1993 law that banned gay military personnel from serving openly went into effect Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. after years of fierce debate in both Congress and the armed services.

President Obama had signed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in December.

Since the policy went into effect under then-President Bill Clinton, more than 13,000 homosexuals have been booted from the armed services for revealing they are gay.

Service members kicked out under DADT will be allowed to re-enlist.

Some in Congress still oppose the change, but top Pentagon leaders have insisted it would not undermine the military's ability to recruit or fight wars.

The Army released a short statement Tuesday saying, "The law is repealed," and to treat soldiers fairly.

"No one should be left with the impression that we are unprepared. We are prepared for repeal," said Pentagon press secretary George Little on Monday. Last week the Pentagon said 97% of the military has been trained in the new law.
The military has been accepting applications from openly gay members for weeks while waiting for the repeal to take place.

Conservative groups, including the Family Research Council, urged the Pentagon to postpone the decision.

"The American military exists for only one purpose - to fight and win wars," FRC president Tony Perkins said in a statement Monday.

"Yet, tomorrow, the U.S. military becomes a tool in reshaping social attitudes regarding human sexuality. Using the military to advance a liberal social agenda will only do harm to the military's ability to fulfill its mission," Perkins said.

Several Republican presidential candidates have previously said they would reinstate DADT.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said he would keep the policy in place "until conflict was over," during a Republican primary debate in June.

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann said she would keep DADT and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum agreed, adding the military is "not for social experimentation."

Meanwhile, gay rights groups planned celebrations across the country.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi applauded the decision.

"Our nation will finally close the door on a fundamental unfaiess for gays and lesbians," the Califoia Democrat said, adding it will "indeed affirm equality for all Americans."