'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal Takes Effect Today

The military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) policy, which for almost 18 years has prohibited gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, ended today.

The policy was repealed by Congress in December, but the repeal did not take effect for several months while the president, the secretary of state and the joint chiefs of staff certified that it would not harm military readiness.

The policy was enacted in December of 1993. While it prohibited harassment of closeted gay soldiers or soldiers suspected to be gay, DADT faced harsh criticism—and several legal challenges—over the years for prohibiting gay, lesbian or bisexual soldiers, under threat of discharge, from being open about their sexuality. More than 13,000 servicemembers from across the Department of Defense were discharged under DADT.

The tide of public opinion has slowly turned against DADT over the years. According to a 2010 ABC News-Washington Post poll, 77 percent of Americans think gay and lesbian soldiers should be able to serve openly.

Many military personnel, too, have said they think the policy's time has passed; according to a 2006 Zogby poll, 73 percent of servicemembers said they felt comfortable around gay and lesbian personnel. Several senior leaders came out in favor of lifting the ban, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen.

Maryland's Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown is the country's highest ranking elected official to have served a tour in Iraq. In a statement to the media this afternoon, Brown expressed his support for the repeal of DADT saying, “The end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is a proud moment in the history of our great nation. Finally, all those brave men and women who choose to serve their country can do so equally, openly and honestly. 

"Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and Members of Congress, we have strengthened our Armed Forces and reaffirmed our nation’s commitment to the belief that each of us is created equal. While the fight for equality of opportunity for all continues, the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell sends a message across the globe that regardless of one’s race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, America will not tolerate discrimination.”

Many critics cited the cost of DADT as a reason to discontinue the policy. According to a USA Today report, the military had already spent upward of $363 million in 2007 to discharge gays soldiers and recruit and train their replacements.

Gay rights advocates have celebrated the decision, and more than 100 events are planned across the country today to marks the repeal.

"(This) is a monumental day for our service members and our nation. Indeed, we have taken a tremendous leap forward for LGBT equality in the military," said Aubrey Davis, executive director of the Servicemembers' Legal Defense Network in a prepared statement.

"Our work is far from done, but today we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of our patriots as we look forward to a new era of military service – one that honors the contributions of all qualified Americans who have served and wish to serve."