Here is a list of 38 countries. Think about what they have in common:
| Albania | Czech Republic | Ireland | The Netherlands | Russia | Taiwan |
| Argentina | Denmark | Israel | New Zealand | Serbia | United Kingdom |
| Australia | Estonia | Italy | Norway | Slovania | Uruguay |
| Austria | Finland | Japan | Peru | South Africa | |
| Belgium | France | Lithuania | Philippines | Spain | |
| Canada | Germany | Luxembourg | Poland | Sweden | |
| Columbia | Greece | Malta | Romania | Switzerland |
Very soon, the United States will finally join this list of nations – most of the world’s most powerful and effective militaries – that allow gay, lesbian, and bisexual members of their armed forces to serve openly.
On Saturday, the United States Senate voted 65-31 to repeal the ban, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which has resulted in more than 14,000 highly-skilled and dedicated members of our military being discharged for nothing more than being honest about who they are.
We will look back on this, much as we do the 1948 desgregation of the United States armed forces, with no doubt that it was the right thing. In fact, many will come to wonder why it didn’t happen sooner. Some of us already do.
christao408 
It’s about time.
Sweeet…about time already.
this is great news! i was excited the house passed it on friday, and now the senate!
Whoo hooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so excited for this progress!!!!
This is a great step in the right direction. And yet there were 31 votes against… But heck, I guess there will always be “dissent”.
I am glad that the bias shown in law has been eliminated. It took too long but it is done. I wander with Matt why the 31 votes to keep the law on the books.
It’s sad that U.S. is so far behind on homosexual equality.
Rock on!
Great. The functional health of our military is no longer Job One. Now, the world knows that WINNING wars is no longer foremost on America’s agenda, but creating yet another p.c. institution for the purpose of giving petulant Americans a free ride through college, help ’em get a head start on life, whatever. Homosexuality is about as natural as two men having sex together. Prepare yourself, America.
It definitely should have happened sooner. One step at a time.
Glad to hear it turned over…now I wonder how big of a difference it will really make. Only time will tell I guess.
Absolutely a good first step. First the military and next the rest of the country… A nice gift for Christmas.
I’m so glad this has finally happened. Being gay has nothing to do with the ability to serve ones’ country, despite what some people may think.
YES!
@cheagan – You must have an extremely low opinion of our military’s capability and professionalism. As someone with friends and a family members in the service, I have complete confidence in their ability to maintain the highest levels of fighting readiness. Read the survey results and inform yourself, friend.@SexyGamerGirl – Considering the untold number of gay people who have already served and died for their country, I agree that sexual orientation doesn’t affect one’s ability to serve.@brooklyn2028 – While there are some points on which racial integration is not comparable to ending DADT, the integration of the military in the 1940s was a big driver for change throughout the rest of society. Hopefully, this serves as another important step towards ending discrimination.
@kunhuo42 – Well, that was the second time the House passed the legislation, so it wasn’t as surprising. But, yes, it is an exciting development.@ElusiveWords – @Fatcat723 – The 31 include Senator McCain, who originally said we must wait until military leadership concluded the time was right and then, when military leadership said the time was right, changed his mind.@ItsWhatEyeKnow – @m3galomaniac – @everyday_yogi – @MaxiMoron – @Sinful_Sundae – @murisopsis – @Roadlesstaken – As Val said, a nice gift for Christmas.@yang1815 – The US manages to maintain a fascinating paradox as both the land of opportunity and the land of backwards discrimination. Americans are often a small-minded people, encouraged by scheming politicians and the media who prey on their fears.
@christao408 – Couldn’t have said it any better myself.
You don’t get it; you’re so hung up on the issue itself that you fail to see its real significance in the context of a global military commitment. Our hand has been tipped. Nations which take their military seriously don’t allow military policy to be dictated by the general populace. Ours will only be the latest empire to collapse under the weight of its own excesses.
should have happened a while ago. i’m glad.
@cheagan – Yep, that must be the case. Certainly looking from the list of other countries that allow gays to serve openly, it is clear that there are no examples there of countries that take their military seriously. Let’s start with Israel. They certainly don’t take their military seriously, right? What is more likely to collapse our “empire” is overextending ourselves (two endless wars anyone?) and failing to modernize.
wow . you would think that this was a thing of the past . i wonder when canada changed their law.
@paulinemalpage – 1992, the year before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was put into effect. Ironic, I think.
This was an incredibly stupid policy all around and I will be glad to see it gone. It created a security risk where none existed absent the dumb policy. I will remind you that this idiocy was a creation of the Clinton administration.
@ItsWhatEyeKnow – My thoughts exactly!
@ElusiveWords – Yep. I wasn’t surprised to see that my state’s delegation of ignoramuses voted against it, but good that it passed.
@cheagan – Prepare yourself … for a society in which your prejudices no longer hold weight with the general public.
I’m so happy about this and you’re right. Many of us already wonder why this has taken so long.
as a veteran i can hold my head up just a bit higher now.
I’m excited that this finally happens. I fully agree with the commenter above that said that DADT created a security risk where there was none. Most people who serve their countries in some capacity as civil servants and other government people have full disclosure clauses as part of the terms of their employment. When information is not disclosed about an individual, it creates a security risk.
@TheCheshireGrins – Meg! How are you doing? Yes, asking people to lie about themselves while serving their country creates a huge contradiction in the most basic principles of the military, which include always being honest.@buddy71 – Thank you for your service to the country.@socialdemocracyforall – Yeah, I had all “no” voters and they received several emails in advance of the vote letting them know what my thoughts are. They probably ignore emails from me by now, knowing that I’m not going to agree with them on anything.
@Toro69 – Believe me, I am very conscious that Bill Clinton signed DADT into law. He is not the holy hero of the Democrat party in my eyes.
Positive step forward, YAY!!!