Washington, Sep 20: US President Barack Obama today said American armed forces would no longer lose the “extraordinary skills” of gays and lesbians as his administration lifted a ban on them serving in the military, ending an 18-year-old practice that had resulted in dismissal of some 14,000 service members.
“Today, the discriminatory law known as ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is finally and formally repealed.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,” Obama said.
“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,” he said in a statement.
The 1993 law had banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the US military.
“No one should be left with the impression that we are unprepared. We are prepared for repeal. The force is well aware that this is coming. They've had the training. It's been in the press for months. The September 20th day is not a mystery,” Pentagon spokesman George Little told reporters earlier. PTI
