An epic moment in LGBT history has taken place today in wake of the necessary demise of the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy, which has come to its official close today under orders from the Obama administration. Its fall is due in part to the activists and allies in support of the LGBT community who recognized its discriminatory and unfair treatment against gays and lesbians in the U.S. Armed Services.
Credit for its termination is also due in part to the thousands of military members who spoke up about unfair treatment as a result of the DADT policy. Memorable and important figures who should be applauded for their outspoken activism include U.S. Air Force Sgt. Leonard Matlovich (1943-1988), who was discharged from the military in 1975 after he informed his commanding officer that he was gay. Matlovich had earned a purple heart and bronze star for his efforts in the military. Later, after protest and appeals, a federal court reinstated him in 1980 after loosely recognizing that the military had little right to ban gays in their forces.
Tireless activist Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate, is also applauded for his efforts in helping to overturn DADT after countless protests in wake of his discharge for being gay.
Other notable activists include San Diego’s late LGBT rights advocate John Laird, Marine Corps veteran Eric Alva, Army medic Sarah Hjalmarson, Captain Jonathan Hopkins, Midshipman Joseph Steffan, Army engineer Bridget Altenburg, and countless others who diligently protested the unfair and discriminatory act.
Today, the repeal of DADT is celebrated across the nation as allies and activists come together in victory for an historical moment in gay and lesbian history.
Our president has issued the following statement in wake of the fall of DADT:
Today, the discriminatory law known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is finally and formally repealed. As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service.
I was proud to sign the Repeal Act into law last December because I knew that it would enhance our national security, increase our military readiness, and bring us closer to the principles of equality and fairness that define us as Americans. Today’s achievement is a tribute to all the patriots who fought and marched for change; to Members of Congress, from both parties, who voted for repeal; to our civilian and military leaders who ensured a smooth transition; and to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform who showed that they were ready to move forward together, as one team, to meet the missions we ask of them.
For more than two centuries, we have worked to extend America’s promise to all our citizens. Our armed forces have been both a mirror and a catalyst of that progress, and our troops, including gays and lesbians, have given their lives to defend the freedoms and liberties that we cherish as Americans. Today, every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation’s founding ideals.
