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Obama Signs Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Into Law
By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 22, 2010
Modified Dec 22, 2010
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Dec 22, 2010
Modified Dec 22, 2010
Share
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This morning, President Obama signed into law the repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which restricted openly gay men and women from serving in the military. It was a particularly happy day for the President, who had made repealing the 17-year-old DADT policy one of his issues during his presidential campaign. "No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over their shoulder in order to serve the country that they love," Obama said during a press conference after the historic signing.
The repeal came after years of fighting and debate over the policy, as well as several false starts; more than 13,500 service members have been dismissed under the law since it was passed in 1993. Finally this week, the House and the Senate both passed the repeal bill, thanks in part to a Senate cloture which stopped Republicans from being able to filibuster the vote. Nevertheless, civil rights activists warned that the ban will remain in effect for 60 more days, until the Pentagon completes training and preparation for implementation, the president and military leaders sign off on the groundwork, and the Congress has time to review everything.
And the devil's in those details, as Rep. Barney Frank knows: he was confronted by a reporter from CNS, who tried to snatch a "gotcha" moment by asking him about shower arrangements. Frank was two-steps ahead of him however, as you can see in the video below.
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barney frank
dadt
don't ask don't tell
gay
lesbian
military
president obama
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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