Earlier today, History was made here in the United States of America. By a vote of 63-33, the US Senate voted to cut off debate on the US Military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy which bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in all branches of the US military and moved the matter forward to a final vote that just took place in Washington DC to officially repeal the policy. By a vote of 65-31 (when only a simple majority vote of 51 was needed), the US Senate has officially voted to repeal the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy … paving the way for gays and lesbians to serve openly in the US Military. Now, there is still a bit of procedural work to be done and a mandatory 60 day grace period has to take place but the days of the US Military’s discrimination against gays and lesbians are OVER!

Capping a 17-year political struggle, the Senate on Saturday cleared the way for repealing the Pentagon’s ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military. By a vote of 63 to 33, with six Republicans joining Democrats, the Senate acted to cut off debate on a measure that would let President Obama declare an end to the Clinton-era policy, known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which allows gay members of the armed forces to serve only if they keep their sexual orientation a secret. The vote indicated that there was easily enough support to push the measure to final passage. “By ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay,” Mr. Obama said in a statement after the cloture vote. “And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love.” The vote put Congress at the brink of a historic moment that some equated with the decision to end racial segregation in the military. It followed a review by the Pentagon that found little concern in the military about ending the ban and that was backed by Pentagon officials as a better alternative to a court-ordered end. Backers of the repeal said it was long past time to end what they saw as a discriminatory practice that cost valuable personnel and forced troops to lie to serve their country. “I don’t care who you love,” Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, said as the debate opened. “If you love this country enough to risk your life for it, you shouldn’t have to hide who you are.”

This amazing and momentous news continues …

By a vote of 65 to 31, the Senate sent the bill to President Obama, who had campaigned on ending the Clinton-era policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” which allows gay members of the armed forces to serve only if they keep their sexual orientation a secret. A cloture vote of 63-33 earlier in the day had indicated that there was easily enough support to push the measure to final passage. The House had passed the measure, 250 to 175, on Wednesday.

The matter now goes to the desk of President Obama for his signature next week. Once he signs, the procedural work gets underway and in roughly 60 days from now (mebbe a bit more), the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy will be COMPLETELY DUNZO! It should be noted that Senator John McCain has argued to the bitter end to keep the discriminatory policy in place, proving that he is no leader … and that he will be remembered for all time on the losing end of History. This repeal of DADT is a monumental move forward in the advancement of equal rights in this country. I can hardly contain myself … it is a happy, happy day indeed!!

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