DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL
IS REPEALED
TOP STORIES
Same-sex Couples Can Claim New Benefits by October
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced up to 24 new benefits for military members and retirees with same-sex partners under a new policy he said will help ensure fairness and equal treatment in taking care of all our service members and their families. Story
Panetta Extends Benefits To Same-sex Partners
Calling it “a matter of fundamental equity,” Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta extended benefits to same-sex partners of service members in a memorandum signed Feb. 11, 2013. The announcement came 17 months after the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy barring gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military." Story | News Release | Memorandum
Nine Months After Repeal, Gay Troops Slowly Come Out
In the nine months since being given the legal right to serve openly in the military, gay service members are increasingly speaking out about the double lives they led under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. Story
Panetta Salutes Gay, Lesbian Service Members’ Dedicated Duty
The pursuit of equality is fundamental to the American story, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said in a video message thanking gay and lesbian service members and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civilians for their dedicated service to the nation. Story
Department Reminds Troops of Member-designated Benefits
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2011 – In their ongoing review of military benefits in connection with the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Defense Department officials have now identified a total of 14 benefits where members may designate beneficiaries of their choosing, regardless of sexual orientation. Story
Repeal: Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
Oct. 28, 2011 – On December 22, 2010, the President signed legislation that led to the repeal of DADT. The legislation provides that repeal would take effect 60 days after the President, Secretary, and Chairman certify to Congress that the Armed Forces are prepared to implement repeal in a manner that is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces. PDF Document
Defense Leaders Laud Repeal, Return of ‘Equality’
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2011 – The official end today of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law reflects the American values that military members uphold, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today. Story | Transcript
Obama: Americans No Longer Have to Lie to Serve
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2011 – President Barack Obama today issued a statement on the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that had barred gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military. Story
Officials Expect Smooth ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2011 – The law is passed, the studies completed, the findings certified and the service member training accomplished. Today, after years of debate and months of preparation, the Defense Department starts on a new footing with the repeal of the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that since 1993 has banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. Story
Repeal Day Memo (PDF)
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2011 – The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you that the law commonly known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), 10 U.S.C. Sec 654, is repealed and no longer in effect in the Department of Defense. PDF Document
Policy Memo Issued Jan. 28, 2011 (PDF)
The purpose of attachment one is twofold: 1) to provide the Department's Policy Guidance that will take effect on the date of repeal and 2) to inform the Military Services about the steps each should take immediately in order
to prepare for the effective date of repeal. Additionally, the second attachment contains those changes to Department Instructions and Directives that will be effective on the date of repeal. PDF Document
JOURNEY TO REPEAL
DOD Set for ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal
WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2011 – The repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law is slated to take effect tomorrow, a senior Defense Department official told reporters today. Story
Obama Commends Military for Handling of Law’s Repeal
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2011 – 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 certified that the armed forces are ready for its repeal. Repeal of the law takes effect Sept. 20, when a 60-day waiting period mandated by the repeal legislation runs out. Story
Obama Certifies Military Ready for ‘Don’t Ask’ Repeal
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2011 – 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. Story
Pentagon Officials Explain Repeal Implementation
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2011 – President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are satisfied the military can implement the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. Story
Services Deliver ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal Input
WASHINGTON, July 13, 2011 – 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. Story
Court Orders Halt to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Enforcement
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2011 – The Defense Department will comply with a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling ordering the government to stop enforcing the terms of the law that prevents openly gay service members from being in the military, a Pentagon spokesman said. Story
HISTORIC CEREMONY | Dec. 22, 2010
STORIES
Marines Conduct DADT Repeal Training
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., April 29, 2011 – Does a straight Marine have to live with a gay Marine? Can a Marine with a same-sex partner receive housing allowance? Will being openly gay affect recruitment, assignments or promotion? Story
Senior Enlisted Marines Foresee Few Challenges with DADT Repeal
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C., April 15, 2011 - The impending repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy will, for the first time ever, allow gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve openly in military ranks. Story
MORE STORIES
DADT Repeal Training Proves Caliber of Military, Leaders Say
WASHINGTON, April 7, 2011 - 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 service members. Story
Gates Expects Troops to Take ‘Don’t Ask’ Repeal in Stride
BAGHDAD, April 7, 2011 - As training begins to pave the way for implementing repeal of the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told soldiers in Baghdad he expects service members to take the change in stride. Story
‘Don’t Ask’ Repeal Training Set to Begin
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2011 – 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 Department’s repeal implementation team said here today. Story
Service Secretaries Receive 'Don't Ask' Repeal Plan
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2011 – Pentagon officials 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. Story