SACRAMENTO , CALIFORNIA – Today, President Obama, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen moved forward to certify the repeal of the 17-year-old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy in an afternoon meeting in Washington, D.C. This comes 212 days after the DADT repeal bill was signed into law last December. The certification was issued to the Armed Services committees in both houses of Congress signifying that the military is ready for the transition.
“After all that has happened over the past 17 years since DADT was implemented, today’s certification sets the stage for the beginning of the end of this discriminatory policy,” said Sacramento Valley Veterans (SVV) President Ty Redhouse, “For those serving in silence, today marks the lighting of a beacon at the end of dark time. To those who have been discharged under DADT, today brings a measure of hope that they may be able to serve again.”
What comes after certification is a 60-day period in which the military will work to address issues like what military benefits can be afforded to same-sex couples. Restrictions in benefits are likely to occur because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which narrowly defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
“We’ve still got work to do; DADT repeal is a huge step on the path to military equality,” said Redhouse. “Over the next 60 days, we’re sure to see more questions raised on how to ensure the loved ones of lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members are taken care of. We won’t be backing down until we ensure equality is attained. This isn’t the end of the fight.”
Full DADT repeal is expected to occur following the passage of 60 working days or September 20, 2011.
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Sacramento Valley Veterans is a chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER), a nationwide association of active, reserve and veteran servicemembers dedicated to full and equal rights and equitable treatment for all present and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. For more information on the Sacramento Valley Veterans, visit www.sacvalleyvets.com.
[...] On July 22, 2011, President Obama, Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Leon Panetta, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Admiral Mike Mullen formally issued certification of DADT repeal. [...]