The latest news about the effects of repealing the U.S. military's "don’t ask, don't tell" policy. Introduced by Bill Clinton as a comprimise measure that allowed gays and lesbians to serve in the militrary branches, DADT went into effect in 1994 and mandated that service members stay in the closet about their sexual orientation. Proponents cited to "unit cohesion," "high standards of morale," and "good order and discipline" as reasons for DADT's necessity. President Barack Obama ended the policy in 2011.
“For far too long, thousands of courageous individuals have been told that they are not worthy of the same benefits that their comrades and counterparts earned,” Velis said.
The repeal, which took effect 10 years ago today, "helped move our nation closer to its foundational promise of equality, dignity, and opportunity for all," Biden said.