In what is being lauded as a historic victory, the US Senate has voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", a policy which has prevented gay and lesbian soldiers from openly serving in the military since 1993. Sixty-five Senators, including six Republicans, voted in favour of the measure. The House approved repeal earlier this week. It's a major victory for President Barack Obama and he says he is looking forward to signing the repeal into law. "It is time to close this chapter in our history. It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valour and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly," Obama said. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network says more than 13,500 service members have been discharged from the military under the 1993 law.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 19th December 2010 - 11:34am