The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) applauds today's U.S. Senate vote to repeal the military's discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy.
This vote means the military's 17-year prohibition on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military is a step closer to ending. The DADT repeal bill, passed earlier in the week by the House, will now go to Pres. Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law next week. After that, the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will certify the lifting of the ban. It is expected to be fully lifted 60 days after the certification.
"We are pleased that the Senate listened to the American people, who overwhelmingly approve of gays and lesbians being able to serve openly. Repealing it is the right thing to do," said Center spokeswoman Heather Draper. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell has long infringed on the fundamental rights of gay and lesbian military men and women, which has been painfully obvious since the policy was implemented in 1993."
A 2010 survey by The Washington Post/ABC News found that 75 percent of Americans support gays serving openly in the military.
DADT cost U.S. taxpayers more than $200 million in its first 10 years, according to the federal Government Accountability Office, because service members are trained and prepared for duty, and then money is spent investigating and discharging them. A follow-up study estimated the cost at $363 million.
More than 14,000 military men and women have been fired under the law since 1994.
More than 14,000 military men and women have been fired under the law since 1994.
