Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Obama Speaks At Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Signing (VIDEO)

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2010, 2:54PM

This morning, President Obama spoke emotionally about the gay men and women who serve in the military before signing a law that will repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

"There will never be a full accounting of the heroism demonstrated by gay Americans in service to this country," Obama said. "As the first generation to serve openly in our armed services, you will stand for all those who came before you, and you will serve as role models for all those who will come after you."

Watch the full speech:

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Barack Obama

Obama: DADT Repeal Is Matter Of Months, Not Years

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2010, 11:58AM

President Obama signs a bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

When President Obama signed a bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell today, he wasn't actually repealing the 17-year-old policy. The law directs the Pentagon to drop the policy -- but only after Obama, the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff all certify that the military is ready for it.

And the question has been how long that may take. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has been purposely tight-lipped about a time line, refusing to publicly make even vague estimates.

Obama, though, gave a ballpark to The Advocate's Kerry Eleveld.

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Gay Rights

Obama: DOMA Should Be Repealed, Lawyers Looking At 'Range Of Options'

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2010, 11:10AM

President Obama signs a bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

President Obama, although he still supports civil unions over same-sex marriage, said yesterday that he believes the Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed.

"Repealing DOMA, getting ENDA [a bill to protect LGBT people from discrimination] done, those are things that should be done," Obama told The Advocate the night before signing Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal into law. "I think those are natural next steps legislatively. I'll be frank with you, I think that's not going to get done in two years. We're on a three- or four-year time frame unless there's a real transformation of attitudes within the Republican caucus."

The federal Defense of Marriage Act, which was passed in 1996, defines marriage as strictly heterosexual. It's currently facing multiple legal challenges, including two cases from Massachusetts in which a federal judge already ruled that part of the law is unconstitutional. Obama's Justice Department is defending DOMA.

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Barack Obama

Obama Signs DADT Repeal Into Law

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2010, 9:34AM

President Obama this morning signed into law the bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

"I am just overwhelmed," Obama said as he took the stage among chants of "Yes we can!" and whoops from the audience. "This is a very good day."

"No longer will our country be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans who were forced to leave the military, regardless of their skills, no matter their bravery or their zeal, no matter their years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay," he said. "No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie."

Obama was joined on stage by Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, Sens. Joe Lieberman, Susan Collins and Harry Reid and Reps. Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and Patrick Murphy, an Iraq War veteran who had pushed for DADT repeal.

"In the coming days, we will begin the process laid out by this law," Obama said, adding that repeal will not go into effect immediately. "It is very important that servicemembers remember that."

He spoke directly to gay soldiers, and said he hoped those discharged under DADT will re-enlist once it is fully repealed.

"There will never be a full accounting of the heroism demonstrated by gay Americans in service to this country," he said. "As the first generation to serve openly in our armed services, you will stand for all those who came before you, and you will serve as role models for all those who will come after you."

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Don't Ask, Don't Tell

President Obama To Sign Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal This Morning

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2010, 8:30AM

Marines aboard the USS Blue Ridge

President Obama is scheduled to sign a bill repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, at 9:15 a.m. ET today.

The bill, which was passed by the House last Wednesday and the Senate on Saturday, was certified by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi yesterday in a ceremony that was attended by hundreds of supporters, including gay servicemembers.

The new law will, eventually, end the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemembers. The policy will be repealed 60 days after Obama, Defense Secretary Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen all certify that the military is ready for repeal. That won't happen until the military completes its implementation plan, which includes extensive training and education for all branches of the armed forces.

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