Obama signs Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Act, ending ban on openly gay military service

President Obama signs the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act (P.L. 111-321), ending the 1994 law that banned openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans from serving in the military. The repeal passes the Senate 65-31 and the House 250-175 during the lame-duck session. The policy change takes effect in September 2011 after military certification. The law fulfills a campaign promise Obama made in 2008. Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen had testified to Congress that he personally believed the ban was wrong, the first senior military officer to do so.