Sen. Franken Lauds Implementation of Repeal of Military's Discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy

Statement

U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), a longtime advocate of repealing the military's discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy--which prevents openly gay, lesbian or bisexual Americans from serving their country--issued the following statement on the September 20 elimination of the policy:

"Last December, I was extremely proud to vote to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell," said Sen. Franken. "The September 20 implementation of that repeal will finally put an end to a discriminatory policy that has forced Minnesotans and other Americans to lie about who they are in order to serve their country. Now we can give dedicated men and women the opportunity to serve in the military without pretending to be something they're not. The American people are ready to end this law, the military is ready to end it, and above all it's just the right thing to do."

In December, Congress approved the law's repeal and it was signed into law by President Obama. In July, President Obama and Pentagon officials certified that the military was ready to implement the repeal after a 60 day waiting period, which will end at midnight on Tuesday, September 20th, 2011.

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