Politics

Obama signs ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal

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WASHINGTON—With gay veterans standing over his shoulder, President Barack Obama signed a law allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military, hailing the hard-fought measure as a landmark in a struggle for equality and civil rights.

The emotional ceremony ended a battle that has been going on for decades, long before President Bill Clinton in 1993 signed what was supposed to be a compromise allowing gays into the military so long as they didn’t reveal their sexual orientation. That “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy rested uneasily for nearly two decades.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, had opposed the policy, saying it encouraged U.S. servicemen to lie to their country and sacrifice their integrity.

Mr. Obama told a story of his recent, secret trip to Afghanistan, saying a young military woman pulled him into a hug and whispered: Get the repeal done.

Full story: Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask’ Signed Into Law