Got a letter from the Human Rights Campaign! Congress voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"The vote we won today – a critical vote to repealing this law – was to overcome a filibuster by John McCain and Republican leaders in the Senate. There may be one final vote on Sunday night or Monday and which only requires a simple majority instead of 60 votes. The bill will then go to President Obama's desk, and he has promised to sign it. In the following months ahead, the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be responsible for acting expeditiously to implement a repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. HRC advises service members that repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is not effective immediately and service members are still at risk of being discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation until the repeal is completely implemented.

Anyone else super excited? Not that I want to go into the military, but this is such a huge step toward equality that I can't help wanting to celebrate. less

Got a letter from the Human Rights Campaign! Congress voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"The vote we won today – a critical vote to repealing this law – was to overcome a filibuster by John McCain and Republican leaders in the Senate. There may be one final vote on Sunday night or Monday and which only requires a simple majority instead of 60 votes. The bill will then go to President Obama's desk, and he has promised to sign it. In the following months ahead, the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be responsible for acting expeditiously to implement a repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. HRC advises service members that repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is not effective immediately and service members are still at risk of being discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation until the repeal is completely implemented.

Anyone else super excited? Not that I want to go into the military, but this is such a huge step toward equality that I can't help wanting to celebrate. less

this is a huge step in the right direction!!!!! but people can't be out just yet and that's what is sad.

i've been hearing that a lot of the lawsuits that are already against dadt will stand. with luck, my best friend can actually get back in the military after is on the books. less

I think one of the important aspects of this vote is that eight Republicans voted for the repeal. They're finally starting to take notice of public opinion, I think. (About 3/4 of Americans favored the repeal.)

It could still take up to a year for the armed services to actually implement the policy change. The Marines, in particular, are likely to drag their feet. A lot of homophobes there. On the other hand, I'd expect the Air Force to sort things out pretty quickly. less

Awesome pic! We marched in the National Equality Parade last year alongside SLDN (service members legal defense network) and other gay service members or friends of service members who carried posters or wore t-shirts commemorating those who were discharged or who committed suicide because of DADT.

I actually cried when the repeal was signed! less