• ELIXHER
• On September 20, 2011

Photo: HRC

Today is a historic day. Now gay, lesbian and bisexual service members can serve openly in the armed forces without fear of being discharged because of their orientation. The Pentagon has reportedly begun accepting applications from openly gay and bisexual candidates as the ban officially came to an end early Tuesday morning. Advocate.com reports:

The military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, one described in 1993 by President Bill Clinton as “an honorable compromise” that eventually destroyed thousands of careers, ended Tuesday at 12:01 a.m., nine months after Congress repealed the law.

“From this day forward, gay and lesbian Soldiers may serve in our Army with the dignity and respect they deserve,” Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and Army officials wrote (see a PDF of the letter here). “For over 236 years, the U.S. Army has been an extraordinary force for good in the world. Our Soldiers are the most agile, adaptable and capable warriors in history — and we are ready for this change.”

Read more here. While our nation has made tremendous strides today, we still have work to do. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal does not change the regulatory ban in place for aspiring or current service members who identify as transgender. And while gay and bisexual service members are free to marry, obtain a domestic partnership or civil union, or have a commitment ceremony with their partner because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a marriage between committed couples will not be recognized as by the military and other parts of the federal government, even if it is validly performed in a state that allows same-sex marriage. Therefore, gay, lesbian and bisexual service members will not be able to fully protect and care for their families.