Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Passes US Senate, Signed by President
Several Republicans joined in repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, thus allowing soldiers who are homosexual to serve openly and without fear of being discharged. US Sen. Manchin (D-WV), who had not supported the policy in previous votes, was conspicuously absent; otherwise, the entire Democratic delegation supported.
Republicans supported the repeal of DADT included: US Sens. Brown (R-MA), Burr (R-NC), Collins (R-ME), Ensign (R-NV), Kirk (R-IL), Murkowski (R-AK), Snowe (R-ME), and Voinovich (R-OH).
The vote was 65 – 31.
Wednesday, December 22, Atlanta-based GLBT advocacy groups held a victory party at Manuel’s Tavern.
Incidentally, APN’s Editor–yours truly–wrote an op-ed for Southern Voice magazine called, “The Anti-War Case against Gays in the Military.” It looks like the need for the US military-industrial complex to have more warm bodies won out in the end.