UPDATE: Since 1993, the law and policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) has provided that homosexual conduct is a bar to service in the Armed Forces. On Dec. 22, 2010, the DADT Repeal Act of 2010 became law. It provides for the repeal of DADT to be effective 60 days after the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify to Congress that the Armed Forces are prepared to implement repeal. The Army began educating Army personnel on the process and policies associated with the repeal of DADT on Feb. 17, 2011, in order to prepare the force for implementation.
Certification occurred July 22, 2011, and repeal will occur Sept. 20, 2011.
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Obama commends military for handling of law’s repeal
The 1993 law that has banned gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military “undermines our military readiness and violates American principles of fairness and equality,” President Barack Obama said today in announcing he has... MORE
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal certified by President Obama
Based on recommendations from military leaders, President Barack Obama has certified to Congress that the U.S. armed forces are prepared for repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law. MORE
Services deliver ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal input
All of the services and combatant commands have provided their input to the Defense Department in advance of the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that bans gays from serving openly in the military, a Pentagon... MORE
Court orders halt to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ enforcement
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered the government to stop enforcing the terms of the law that prevents openly gay service members from being in the military. MORE
Army launches new 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal website
In preparation of the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, the Army has launched a new website to provide servicemembers and their families the most up-to-date information about the change. MORE
Army training app adds popular 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' repeal teaching materials,
Two months after being posted on the Army Training Network, U.S. Army training materials on the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" continue to be the most-downloaded information on the Army training website, with more than... MORE
Leaders say DADT repeal training effective
Commands Army-wide are beginning to train Soldiers in preparation for repeal of the law commonly referred to as "Don't Ask Don't Tell." MORE
DADT repeal training proves caliber of military, leaders say
Two months into training to allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military, the leaders of all four services say implementation is going well - something they attribute to the caliber of today's servicemembers. MORE
Preparing for repeal of DADT brings training for Soldiers
With pending repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law banning gays and lesbians from military service, the Army is implementing a tiered training program for Soldiers worldwide. MORE
'Don't Ask' repeal training set to begin
Training will begin shortly for experts in certain specialties and leaders as part of the plan for finalizing repeal of the law that bars gay men, lesbians and bisexuals from serving openly in the military, the chief of staff for the Defense... MORE
Service secretaries receive 'Don't Ask' repeal plan
Pentagon officials today sent the Defense Department's implementation plan for repeal of the law commonly known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to the service secretaries with a March 1 deadline for their first progress update. MORE
DoD officials: 'Don't Ask' repeal plan progressing quickly
The plan to end the ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military is progressing quickly, senior Defense Department officials said here today. MORE
Officials plan first 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal briefing
The first in a series of briefings to describe the Defense Department's progress in implementing repeal of the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law is coming soon, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today. MORE
President signs repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy
President Barack Obama today signed the bill to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays in the military. MORE
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' remains in effect as Gates, Mullen tackle plan
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, welcomed the Senate's vote today to repeal the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, while emphasizing that the current law and policy... MORE
House votes to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' Gates urges Senate action
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is pleased with today's House of Representatives vote to repeal the law that bans gays from serving openly in the military, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said, and he hopes the Senate will follow... MORE
Gates, Mullen endorse 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' working group's report
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today urged the Senate to repeal the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law this year. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke at a Pentagon news conference... MORE
Leaders can pave way for openly gay troops, general says
A change in the law that bans gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military can be implemented without irreparable harm, the co-chair of a Pentagon working group that studied the matter said yesterday. MORE
Gates orders probe into 'Don't Ask' review leak
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has condemned the unauthorized release of draft findings of a working group studying the impact of a potential repeal of the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, and he has ordered an... MORE
SecDef changes discharge authority for 'Don't Ask' law
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has directed that any discharges under the law be made by the service secretaries in consultation with the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness and the defense general counsel. MORE