BREAKING FOR REAL: House Passes “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal, Now We Must Charm the Senate

From CNN:

Washington (CNN) – The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to overturn the ban on openly gay and lesbian soldiers serving in the U.S. military, passing legislation repealing the controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

The bill – a so-called “standalone” measure not tied to any other legislative items – passed 250 to 175 in a virtual party-line vote. It now advances to the Senate.

Statement from Rea Carey of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force:

“We thank the House for once again stepping up and showing leadership on this critical issue of fairness. House members who supported ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal today understand that the lives and careers of qualified and patriotic service members hang in the balance. They know, as do three-quarters of Americans, that this discriminatory policy is unnecessary, costly and unfair. This vote moves us closer to ending a shameful chapter in our nation’s history, and toward creating a path that could end in men and women being able to serve openly, honestly, and to great benefit of our country. We urge the Senate to do its part and pass repeal legislation. It’s long past time to stop playing politics with the thousands of patriotic men and women willing to risk their lives by serving in the military.”

Before you go! Autostraddle runs on the reader support of our AF+ Members. If this article meant something to you today — if it informed you or made you smile or feel seen, will you consider joining AF and supporting the people who make this queer media site possible?

Join AF+!
Related:

the team

auto has written 750 articles for us.

36 Comments

  3. I wish John Mccain were in the House, so all his shennanigans wouldn’t have as much clout. Homegirl needs to just quit beating that DADT horse, tis unseemly.

    • John McCain does a magnificent impression of Dr. Claw. Now we need Penny and Brain to come save the day and defeat Dr. McClaw.

  5. Hooray!

    Also, I know what a “virtual party-line vote” actually means, but somehow when I first read it I removed the dash in my head. I ended up picturing a conga line of Representatives on the internet voting to repeal DADT.

    I didn’t think anything could make a DADT repeal any better, but there you go. Good work, brain!

  6. I am so scared to be happy about this. Most of my brain is screaming, ‘You know the senate won’t pass it!’ I’m reluctant to hope.

  7. I’m pretty sure the way I’m feeling right now is similar to how football fans feel when their team makes the semi-finals (or whatever the hell it is that comes before playoffs).

    So yeah. Anyway, LET’S FINISH THESE OL’ BOYS OFF.

  14. What a coincidence: tomorrow is the first day of Autostraddlers Call Their Senators And/Or Stand Outside The Capital Building With Clever Signs Week!

  15. I think that when Senate finally repeals DADT, we should have Kathy Griffin release a public statement from the gay community: “SUCK IT, JOHN MCCAIN!”

  17. Yay!! I know I shouldn’t be so excited about this, but I’m masochistic.

    I’ve also got a girl I’m sort of seeing who’s in the military and might be getting redeployed soon, so this is all starting to take on even more of an urgency.

    I’d like to be able to communicate with her honestly while she’s over there, not prefacing everything with “so, i was telling my ‘boyfriend’ that I’d really like to…” and “so, I was thinking of sending my boyfriend these pics of myself in lingerie, please critique…”

  20. come onnn senate! I feel like I should be sitting on the bleachers doing that thing you do with your feet to to make that noise you know? there must be a word for it. BUT FOR SERIOUS. tense moments for an almost win!

  22. Thank you very much (for the debate and appeal ; make things perfectly).Beiieve that all nations of the country shall have the benefit. America is the progress-advance country , one of the best way to show this : let equality and firm relationship be always done ; we trust YOU. I think leaders of great country is better in IQ and EQ .

  23. I’m saying this with guarded optimism: it’s looking good in the Senate. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Comments are closed.