Repeal ends 17-year ban on gays serving openly in the military
President Barack Obama has formally repealed the ban on gays serving openly in the military.
Administration officials say Obama on Friday signed a certification ending the 17-year-old "don't ask don't tell" policy.
The president took the step, as expected, after meeting in the Oval Office with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman. As laid out in a law passed in December, the repeal will take effect 60 days from now. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of a statement from the White House.
For Obama, the move makes good on a promise from his 2008 campaign to dismantle the Clinton-era policy.
The move also comes on the heels of same-sex marriage legislation passed in New York.
The new law goes into effect this Sunday, and some couples are planning on getting a marriage license that day. The Syracuse city clerk's office will be open from 10am-2pm for anyone who wants to get a marriage license.
Today's repeal also comes just days after the Town of Granby named a new town clerk after the previous clerk resigned because she refused to sign marriage licenses for same-sex couples. Many of you left comments at CNYcentral.com and on our Facebook fan page on this issue.
What do you think? Do you support the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell?" What would you say to the President about this issue?
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
