Editing Don't ask, don't tell (section)

==Repeal==
The underlying justifications for DADT had been subjected to increasing suspicion and outright rejection by the early 21st century. Mounting evidence obtained from the integration efforts of foreign militaries, surveys of U.S. military personnel, and studies conducted by the DoD&nbsp;gave credence to the view that the presence of open homosexuals within the military would not be detrimental at all to the armed forces. A DoD study conducted at the behest of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in 2010 supports this most.

The DoD working group conducting the study considered the impact that lifting the ban would have on unit cohesion and effectiveness, good order and discipline, and military morale. The study included a survey that revealed significant differences between respondents who believed they had served with homosexual troops and those who did not believe they had. In analyzing such data, the DoD working group concluded that it was actually generalized perceptions of homosexual troops that led to the perceived unrest that would occur without DADT. Ultimately, the study deemed the overall risk to military effectiveness of lifting the ban to be low. Citing the ability of the armed forces to adjust to the previous integration of African-Americans and women, the DoD study asserted that the United States military could adjust as had it before in history without an impending serious effect.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/law-journals/gjlpp/upload/zs800112000015.pdf|title = The Effects of Repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Is the Combat Exclusion the Next Casualty in the March Toward Integration?|last = Crandall|first = Carla}}</ref>

In March 2005, Rep. [[Marty Meehan|Martin T. Meehan]] introduced the [[Military Readiness Enhancement Act]] in the House. It aimed "to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces by replacing the current policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, referred to as 'Don't ask, don't tell,' with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation".<ref>{{USBill|109|H.R.|1059}}</ref> As of 2006, it had 105 Democrats and 4 Republicans as co-sponsors.<ref name="nytrenew">''The New York Times'': [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0A12FD3B550C708DDDAA0894DE404482& John Files, "Advocates Hope Supreme Court Ruling Can Renew Attention to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'"], March 13, 2006. Retrieved February 19, 2012.</ref> He introduced the bill again in 2007 and 2009.

During the [[2008 U.S. presidential election]] campaign, Senator Barack Obama advocated a full repeal of the laws barring gays and lesbians from serving in the military.<ref name="MSNBC">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24046489 |title=Obama: Repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' possible |agency=Associated Press |work=NBC News |date=April 10, 2008}}</ref> Nineteen days after his election, Obama's advisers announced that plans to repeal the policy might be delayed until 2010, because Obama "first wants to confer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his new political appointees at the Pentagon to reach a consensus, and then present legislation to Congress".<ref>{{cite news |first=Rowan |last=Scarborough |title=Obama to delay repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell': advisers see consensus building before lifting ban on gays |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/21/obama-to-delay-repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/ |work=The Washington Times |date=November 21, 2008 |access-date=November 22, 2008}}</ref> As president he advocated a policy change to allow gay personnel to serve openly in the armed forces, stating that the U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops expelled from the military, including language experts fluent in [[Arabic]], because of DADT.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Obama |first1=Barack |last2=The Office of the President-elect |title=Plan to Strengthen Civil Rights |work=Agenda{{•}} Civil Rights |publisher=[[Change.gov]] |year=2008 |url=http://www.change.gov/agenda/civil_rights_agenda/ |access-date=December 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102184520/http://change.gov/agenda/civil_rights_agenda/ |archive-date=January 2, 2011 }}</ref> On the eve of the [[National Equality March]] in Washington, D.C., October 10, 2009, Obama stated in a speech before the [[Human Rights Campaign]] that he would end the ban, but he offered no timetable.<ref>{{cite news |last=Simmons |first=Christine |title=Gays Question Obama 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Pledge |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |date=October 10, 2009 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/topstories/2009-10-10-808606012_x.htm |access-date=December 10, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gerstein |first=Josh |title=President Obama offers little new in speech to gay rights activists at HRC dinner |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28156.html |date=October 10, 2009 |publisher=Politico |access-date=October 11, 2009}}</ref> Obama said in his 2010 State of the Union Address: "This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/27/obama.gays.military/index.html |title=Obama calls for 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal |publisher=CNN |date=January 27, 2010}}</ref> This statement was quickly followed up by Defense Secretary [[Robert Gates]] and Joint Chiefs chairman [[Michael Mullen]] voicing their support for a repeal of DADT.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bumiller |first=Elizabeth|title=Top Defense Officials Seek to End 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/us/politics/03military.html|access-date=December 29, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 2, 2010}}</ref>

===Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010===
{{See also|Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010}}
[[File:DADT Repeal Senate.svg|thumb|right|The Senate passed S.4023 65–31 with all Democrats (except for one abstention) and eight Republicans in support.
{{legend|#000080|Both yes}}
{{legend|#0066FF|One yes, one did not vote}}
{{legend|#D42AFF|One yes, one no}}
{{legend|#D40000|One no, one did not vote}}
{{legend|#800000|Both no}}]]

Democrats in both houses of Congress first attempted to end DADT by amending the Defense Authorization Act. On May 27, 2010, on a 234–194 vote,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll317.xml |title=Final vote results for roll call 317 |publisher=Clerk.house.gov |date=May 27, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2010}}</ref> the U.S. House of Representatives approved the [[Patrick Murphy (Pennsylvania politician)|Murphy]] amendment<ref>{{cite news|last1=Allen|first1=Jared|last2=Tiron|first2=Roxana|title=GOP to defend 'Don't ask, Don't Tell'|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=May 25, 2010|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/161816-gop-to-defend-dont-ask-dont-tell/|access-date=May 30, 2010}}</ref> to the [[National Defense Authorization Act]] for Fiscal Year 2011. It provided for repeal of the DADT policy and created a process for lifting the policy, including a [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] study and certification by key officials that the change in policy would not harm military readiness followed by a waiting period of 60 days.<ref name="Fritze">{{cite news|first=John|last=Fritze|title=Congress advances repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'|work=USA Today|date=May 27, 2010|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/05/congress-advances-repeal-of-%E2%80%98dont-ask-dont-tell/1|access-date=May 27, 2010}}</ref><ref name="NYT100528">{{cite news|last1=Herszenhorn|first1=David M.|last2=Hulse|first2=Carl|title=House Votes to Allow Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Law|work=The New York Times|date=May 27, 2010|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/politics/28tell.html|access-date=May 28, 2010}}</ref> The amended defense bill passed the House on May 28, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|last=Herszenhorn|first=David M.|title=House Passes Bill With 'Don't Tell' Repeal|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/us/politics/29cong.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/29/us/politics/29cong.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited |access-date=December 29, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 28, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On September 21, 2010, [[John McCain]] led a successful [[filibuster]] against on the Defense Authorization Act, in which 56 Senators voted to [[cloture|end debate]], four short of the 60 votes required.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/09/21/senate.defense.bill/index.html |publisher=CNN | title=Senate halts 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal | date=September 22, 2010}}</ref> Some advocates for repeal, including the Palm Center, OutServe, and Knights Out, opposed any attempt to block the passage of NDAA if it failed to include DADT repeal language. The Human Rights Campaign, the Center for American Progress, Servicemembers United and SLDN refused to concede that possibility.<ref>O'Keefe, Ed (November 15, 2010). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/15/AR2010111506463.html "'Don't ask, don't tell' splitting gay rights groups"]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved March 12, 2010.</ref>

[[File:Obama meets with Joint Chiefs about DADT.jpg|thumb|left|President Obama meeting in the Oval Office with Secretary Gates, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard on the eve of the publication of a DoD report on the repeal of DADT.]]

The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU) filed a lawsuit, ''[[Collins v. United States]]'', against the Department of Defense in November 2010 seeking full compensation for those discharged under the policy.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/collins-v-united-states-class-action-military-separation-pay|title = Collins v. United States – Class Action for Military Separation Pay|publisher = American Civil Liberties Union|date = November 10, 2010}}</ref>

On November 30, 2010, the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] released the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Comprehensive Review Working Group (CRWG) report authored by [[Jeh C. Johnson]], [[General Counsel of the Department of Defense]], and Army General [[Carter F. Ham]].<ref name="AFPS-report">{{Cite web|author=Daniel, Lisa |date=November 30, 2010 |title=Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Offers Few Risks, Report Finds |publisher=Armed Forces Press Service, United States Department of Defense |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/id/61899/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115122016/http://www.defense.gov//News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=61899 |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Keefe |first=Ed |date=November 30, 2010 |title='Don't ask, don't tell' report authors speak out |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/30/AR2010113002654.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901222056/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/30/AR2010113002654.html |archive-date=September 1, 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref> It outlined a path to the implementation of repeal of DADT.<ref name="CRWG">Department of Defense: [http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_dadt/DADTReport_FINAL_20101130%28secure-hires%29.pdf "Report of the Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113202958/http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_dadt/DADTReport_FINAL_20101130%28secure-hires%29.pdf |date=January 13, 2012 }}, November 30, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2012; [[:File:DADT Defense Department report.pdf|comprehensive report]]. Survey results 63–79, analysis 120-6, quote 121: "Overall, in response to a variety of questions, 50–55% of the force indicated that repeal will have a mixed or no effect; about 15–20% believe that repeal will have a positive effect, while another 30% believe it will have a negative effect."</ref> The report indicated that there was a low risk of service disruptions due to repealing the ban, provided time was provided for proper implementation and training.<ref name="AFPS-report" /><ref name="NYTonCRWG">{{cite news|last=Bumiller|first=Elisabeth|title=Pentagon Sees Little Risk in Allowing Gay Men and Women to Serve Openly|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/us/politics/01military.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/01/us/politics/01military.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited |access-date=December 29, 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 30, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It included the results of a survey of 115,000 active-duty and reserve service members. Across all service branches, 30 percent thought that integrating gays into the military would have negative consequences. In the Marine Corps and combat specialties, the percentage with that negative assessment ranged from 40 to 60 percent. The CRWG also said that 69 percent of all those surveyed believed they had already worked with a gay or lesbian and of those, 92 percent reported that the impact of that person's presence was positive or neutral.<ref name=CRWG /><ref name=NYTonCRWG /> The same day, in response to the CRWG, 30 professors and scholars, most from military institutions, issued a joint statement saying that the CRWG "echoes more than 20 studies, including studies by military researchers, all of which reach the same conclusion: allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly will not harm the military&nbsp;... We hope that our collective statement underscores that the debate about the evidence is now officially over".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.palmcenter.org/press/dadt/releases/military-civilianprofessorsdadtdebateover |title=Military and Civilian Professors Say That "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Debate is Over – 30 Scholars Conclude that Prejudice is the Only Remaining Rationale for Gay Ban |publisher=Palmcenter.org |date=December 15, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725185218/http://www.palmcenter.org/press/dadt/releases/military-civilianprofessorsdadtdebateover |archive-date=July 25, 2011 }}. The signers' affiliations included current and former academics at the [[United States Army War College|Army War College]], [[United States Naval Academy|Naval Academy]], [[United States Military Academy|West Point]], [[United States Air Force Academy|Air Force Academy]], [[Naval Postgraduate School]], [[Naval War College]], [[Air Command and Staff College]] and [[National Defense University (Washington, D.C.)|National Defense University]] and such non-military institutions as [[Harvard University|Harvard]], Yale and [[Princeton University|Princeton]]. The statement was organized by the Pam Center.</ref> The [[Family Research Council]]'s president, [[Tony Perkins (politician)|Tony Perkins]], interpreted the CRWG data differently, writing that it "reveals that 40 percent of Marines and 25 percent of the Army could leave".<ref>Perkins, Tony (December 9, 2010). ''The Washington Times'': [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/dec/9/listen-to-the-marines-on-dont-ask/ "Listen to the Marines on 'Don't Ask'"]. Retrieved April 4, 2012.</ref>

Gates encouraged Congress to act quickly to repeal the law so that the military could carefully adjust rather than face a court decision requiring it to lift the policy immediately.<ref name=NYTonCRWG /> The United States Senate held two days of hearings on December 2 and 3, 2010, to consider the CRWG report. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Joint Chiefs chairman Michael Mullen urged immediate repeal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bumiller |first=Elizabeth |title=Top Defense Officials Seek to End 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 2, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/us/politics/03military.html |access-date=December 29, 2012}}</ref> The heads of the Marine Corps, Army, and Navy all advised against immediate repeal and expressed varied views on its eventual repeal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bumiller|first=Elizabeth|title=Service Chiefs Tell Panel of Risks to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/us/politics/04military.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/04/us/politics/04military.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited|access-date=December 29, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 3, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Oliver North]], writing in ''[[National Review]]'' the next week, said that Gates' testimony showed "a deeply misguided commitment to political correctness". He interpreted the CRWG's data as indicating a high risk that large numbers of resignations would follow the repeal of DADT. Service members, especially combat troops, he wrote, "deserve better than to be treated like lab rats in Mr. Obama's radical social experiment".<ref>North, Oliver (December 7, 2010). [http://www.nationalreview.com/article/254643/gays-military-oliver-north "Gays in the Military"], ''National Review'': Retrieved February 26, 2012</ref>

[[File:Obama signs DADT repeal.jpg|thumb|Obama signs the [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010]]]]

On December 9, 2010, another filibuster prevented debate on the Defense Authorization Act.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Ed |last2=Kane |first2=Paul |title='Don't ask, don't tell' procedural vote fails |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 9, 2010 |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/12/dont_ask_dont_tell_procedural.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009011320/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/12/dont_ask_dont_tell_procedural.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |access-date=December 10, 2010}}</ref> In response to that vote, Senators [[Joe Lieberman]] and [[Susan Collins]] introduced a bill that included the policy-related portions of the Defense Authorization Act that they considered more likely to pass as a stand-alone bill.<ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Keefe |first1=Ed |last2=Whitlock |first2=Craig |title=New bill introduced to end 'don't ask, don't tell'|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 11, 2010 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/10/AR2010121007163.html |access-date=December 13, 2010}}</ref> It passed the House on a vote of 250 to 175 on December 15, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll638.xml |title=Final vote results for roll call 638 |publisher=Clerk.house.gov |date=December 15, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2010}}</ref> On December 18, 2010, the Senate voted to end debate on its version of the bill by a cloture vote of 63–33.<ref>[https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00279 "U.S. Senate Roll Call"], U.S. Senate, December 18, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2010.</ref> The final Senate vote was held later that same day, with the measure passing by a vote of 65–31.<ref name="NYTcong">{{cite news|last=Hulse|first=Carl|title=Senate Repeals Ban Against Openly Gay Military Personnel|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 18, 2010|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/us/politics/19cong.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/us/politics/19cong.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited |access-date=December 29, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Robert Gates]] released a statement following the vote indicating that the planning for implementation of a policy repeal would begin right away and would continue until Gates certified that conditions were met for orderly repeal of the policy.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Statement by Secretary Robert Gates on Senate Vote to Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' |url=http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=14154 |publisher=United States Department of Defense |date=December 18, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224204231/http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=14154 |archive-date=December 24, 2010  }}</ref> President Obama signed the repeal into law on December 22, 2010.<ref name="Obama_Signed" />

===Implementation of repeal===
The repeal act established a process for ending the DADT policy. The President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were required to certify in writing that they had reviewed the Pentagon's report on the effects of DADT repeal, that the appropriate regulations had been reviewed and drafted, and that implementation of repeal regulations "is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces". Once certification was given, DADT would be lifted after a 60-day waiting period.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20141211155056/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.4023: Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010]</ref>

Representative [[Duncan D. Hunter]] announced plans in January 2011 to introduce a bill designed to delay the end of DADT. His proposed legislation required all of the chiefs of the armed services to submit the certification at the time required only of the President, Defense Secretary and Joint Chiefs chairman.<ref>Maze, Rick (January 14, 2011). [http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/01/military-bill-to-delay-dadt-repeal-011411w/ "New bill seeks to slow DADT repeal"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120011130/http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/01/military-bill-to-delay-dadt-repeal-011411w/ |date=January 20, 2011 }}, ''Marine Corps Times'': Retrieved February 14, 2012</ref> In April, Perkins of the Family Research Council argued that the Pentagon was misrepresenting its own survey data and that hearings by the House Armed Services Committee, now under Republican control, could persuade Obama to withhold certification.<ref>Tony Perkins, (April 19, 2011). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/its-not-too-late-to-block-the-repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/ "It's Not Too Late to Block the Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'"], Fox News: Retrieved April 4, 2012</ref> Congressional efforts to prevent the change in policy from going into effect continued into May and June 2011.<ref>Stars and Stripes: [http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/house-panel-votes-to-delay-repeal-of-don-t-ask-don-t-tell-1.143370 "House panel votes to delay repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'"], May 12, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2012; Shane, Leo III (June 16, 2011). [http://www.stripes.com/blogs/stripes-central/stripes-central-1.8040/lawmakers-want-obama-to-halt-dadt-repeal-1.146760 "Lawmakers want Obama to halt DADT repeal"], Stars and Stripes: Retrieved January 11, 2012</ref>

On January 29, 2011, Pentagon officials stated that the training process to prepare troops for the end of DADT would begin in February and would proceed quickly, though they suggested that it might not be completed in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Military lays out plan to implement gay ban repeal|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/military/2011-01-29-repeal-implementation_N.htm|access-date=December 29, 2012|newspaper=USA Today|date=January 29, 2011}}</ref> On the same day, the DOD announced it would not offer any additional compensation to service members who had been discharged under DADT, who received half of the separation pay other honorably discharged service members received.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights/defense-department-says-it-will-deny-full-separation-pay-gay-and-lesbian-service-members|title = Defense Department Says It Will Deny Full Separation Pay For Gay And Lesbian Service Members Honorably Discharged Under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"|publisher = [[American Civil Liberties Union]]|date = January 29, 2011}}</ref>

In May 2011, the U.S. Army reprimanded three colonels for performing a skit in March 2011 at a function at [[Yongsan Garrison]], South Korea, that mocked the repeal.<ref>Gould, Joe (May 23, 2011). [http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/05/army-3-colonels-punished-over-skit-mocking-gays-052311w/ "3 colonels punished over skit mocking gays"], ''[[Military Times]]'': Retrieved February 14, 2012</ref>

In May 2011, revelations that an April Navy memo relating to its DADT training guidelines contemplated allowing same-sex weddings in base chapels and allowing [[United States military chaplains|chaplains]] to officiate if they so chose resulted in a letter of protest from 63 Republican congressman, citing the [[Defense of Marriage Act]] (DOMA) as controlling the use of federal property.<ref>Dwyer, Devin (May 10, 2011). [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dont-navy-oks-bases-chaplains-sex-marriages-repeal/story?id=13570191 "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell': Navy OKs Bases, Chaplains for Same-Sex Marriages After Repeal"], ABC News: Retrieved February 21, 2012</ref> Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council said the guidelines "make it even more uncomfortable for men and women of faith to perform their duties".<ref>{{cite news|last=Eckholm|first=Erik|title=Navy Rescinds Guidelines For Same-Sex Marriages|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/us/12navy.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/us/12navy.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited|access-date=December 29, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=May 11, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> A Pentagon spokesperson replied that DOMA "does not limit the type of religious ceremonies a chaplain may perform in a chapel on a military installation", and a Navy spokesperson said that "A chaplain can conduct a same-sex ceremony if it is in the tenets of his faith".<ref>Keyes, Charley (May 9, 2011). [https://archive.today/20120701121338/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-05-09/us/navy.same.sex.marriage_1_chaplains-marriages-or-civil-unions-navy-times "Navy plan to allow same-sex marriage on bases draws opposition"], CNN: Retrieved February 21, 2012</ref> A few days later the Navy rescinded its earlier instructions "pending additional legal and policy review and interdepartmental coordination".<ref>Dwyer, Devin (May 11, 2011). [https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dont-navy-scraps-rules-gay-marriages-republicans-protest/story?id=13578162 "Navy Scraps Rules on Gay Marriages After GOP Protest"], ABC News: Retrieved 21 February 2011.</ref>

While waiting for certification, several service members were discharged at their own insistence<ref name="Still_discharges"/> until a July 6 ruling from a federal appeals court barred further enforcement of the U.S. military's ban on openly gay service members,<ref name="Judged_Halts"/> which the military promptly did.<ref>Tighman, Andrew (July 8, 2011). ''Army Times'': [http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/07/military-DADT-Pentagon-court-ruling-070811w/ "Pentagon suspends DADT in wake of court ruling"]. Retrieved July 11, 2011.</ref>

Anticipating the lifting of DADT, some active duty service members wearing civilian clothes marched in [[San Diego Pride|San Diego's gay pride parade]] on July 16. The DOD noted that participation "does not constitute a declaration of sexual orientation".<ref>Marty Graham, (July 16, 2011). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gay-parade-military-idUSTRE76G00M20110717 "Military members march for San Diego gay pride"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015220643/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/17/us-gay-parade-military-idUSTRE76G00M20110717 |date=October 15, 2015 }}, Reuters: Retrieved February 17, 2012.</ref>

[[Barack Obama|President Obama]], Secretary of Defense [[Leon Panetta]], and Admiral [[Michael Mullen|Mike Mullen]], Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sent the certification required by the Repeal Act to Congress on July 22, 2011, setting the end of DADT for September 20, 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Obama, Pentagon Certify End of Gay Ban Won't Harm Military|publisher=Bloomberg News|date=July 22, 2011|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-22/obama-pentagon-certify-end-of-gay-ban-won-t-harm-military-1-.html |author= Viola Gienger and Flavia Krause-Jackson |access-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref> A Pentagon spokesman said that service members discharged under DADT would be able to re-apply to rejoin the military then.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gone in 60 Days |work=MetroWeekly|date=July 22, 2011|url=http://metroweekly.com/news/?ak=6452 |author= Chris Geidner |access-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref>

At the end of August 2011, the DOD approved the distribution of the magazine produced by [[OutServe]], an organization of gay and lesbian service members, at Army and Air Force base exchanges beginning with the September 20 issue, coinciding with the end of DADT.<ref>''Stars and Stripes'': Shane, Leo III (August 30, 2011). [http://www.stripes.com/blogs/stripes-central/stripes-central-1.8040/gay-military-magazine-to-land-at-army-af-bases-1.153685 "Gay military magazine to land at Army, AF bases"]. Retrieved February 17, 2012.</ref>

On September 20, Air Force officials announced that 22 Air Force Instructions were "updated as a result of the repeal of DADT".<ref>''The Atlantic'': [http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/steve_clemons/Repeal%20of%20DADT.pdf "Memorandum"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105175738/http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/steve_clemons/Repeal%20of%20DADT.pdf |date=January 5, 2012 }}, September 20, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2012.</ref> On September 30, 2011, the Department of Defense modified regulations to reflect the repeal by deleting "homosexual conduct" as a ground for administrative separation.<ref>{{cite web|title=NUMBER 1332.14|publisher=United States Department of Defense|date=September 30, 2011|url=http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/133214p.pdf|access-date=October 1, 2011|archive-date=October 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026062918/http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/133214p.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Belkin|first=Aaron|author2=Ender, Morten G. |title=Readiness and DADT Repeal: Has the New Policy of Open Service Undermined the Military?|journal=Armed Forces & Society|volume=39|issue=4|pages=587|year=2013|doi=10.1177/0095327X12466248|s2cid=145357049|display-authors=etal}}</ref>

===Day of repeal and aftermath===
[[File:DADT28.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[US Navy]] LT [[Gary C. Ross]] marries Dan Swezy, becoming the first active member of the U.S. military to legally marry a same-sex partner.]]

On the eve of repeal, US Air Force 1st Lt. [[JD Smith (pseudonym)|Josh Seefried]], one of the founders of [[OutServe]], an organization of LGBT troops, revealed his identity after two years of hiding behind a pseudonym.<ref>''Daily Beast'': [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/09/19/don-t-ask-don-t-tell-ends-a-gay-soldier-comes-out.html Josh Seefried, "I am a Gay Airman"], September 19, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2012.</ref> Senior Airman [[Randy Phillips (airman)|Randy Phillips]], after conducting a social media campaign seeking encouragement coming out and already out to his military co-workers, came out to his father on the evening of September 19. His video of their conversation made him, in one journalist's estimation, "the poster boy for the DADT repeal".<ref name="huffmom">The Huffington Post: [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/29/airman-comes-out-to-mother_n_988047.html "Randy Phillips, Gay Airman, Comes Out To Mom On YouTube"], September 29, 2011. Retrieved January 9, 2012.</ref> The moment the repeal took effect at midnight on September 19, US Navy Lt. [[Gary C. Ross]] married his same-sex partner of eleven and a half years, Dan Swezy, making them the first same-sex military couple to legally marry in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mak|first=Tim|title=Post-'don't ask', gay Navy Lt. marries|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63909.html|access-date=October 3, 2011 |newspaper=Politico |date=September 20, 2011}}</ref> Retired Rear Adm. [[Alan M. Steinman]] became the highest-ranking person to come out immediately following the end of DADT.<ref>Thomas Francis, [https://web.archive.org/web/20200814112706/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/44607673 "On base, 'don't ask, don't tell' demise is cause for celebration"], NBC News: September 21, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2012.</ref> HBO produced a [[World of Wonder (production company)|World of Wonder]] documentary, ''The Strange History of Don't Ask, Don't Tell'', and premiered it on September 20. ''Variety'' called it "an unapologetic piece of liberal advocacy" and "a testament to what formidable opponents ignorance and prejudice can be".<ref>Brian Lowry, [https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117946143 "The Strange History of Don't Ask, Don't Tell"], ''Variety'', September 18, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2012. See also Internet Movie Database: [[IMDbTitle:2066128|"The Strange History of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (2011)"]]. A private showing in San Francisco for OutServe preceded the public premiere. Retrieved January 29, 2012.</ref> Discharge proceedings on the grounds of homosexuality, some begun years earlier, came to an end.<ref>Dwyer, Devin (September 20, 2011). [https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-spares-decorated-veteran-air-force-aviator/ "'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Repeal Spares Decorated Air Force Aviator"], ABC News: Retrieved January 31, 2012</ref>

[[File:USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) First Kiss 111221-N-JP983-008.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta of the {{USS|Oak Hill|LSD-51}} shares the traditional "first kiss" with her fiancée, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell, December 23, 2011.]]

In the weeks that followed, a series of firsts attracted press attention to the impact of the repeal. The Marine Corps were the first branch of the armed services to recruit from the LGBTQ community.<ref name="Marine Corps first to recruit from the LGBTQ community">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/us/marine-recruiters-visit-gay-center-in-oklahoma.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/us/marine-recruiters-visit-gay-center-in-oklahoma.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited |title=Marines Hit the Ground Running in Seeking Recruits at Gay Center |last= Bumiller |first= Elisabeth |date=September 20, 2011 |website=The New York Times |access-date=December 30, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Reservist Jeremy Johnson became the first person discharged under DADT to re-enlist.<ref>Jennifer Rizzo, (September 24, 2011). [https://archive.today/20120708001018/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-09-24/us/us_dadt-sailor-re-enlists_1_repeal-bill-sailor-openly-gay-man "Discharged gay sailor re-enlists in Navy Reserves"], CNN: Retrieved January 27, 2012</ref> [[Jase Daniels]] became the first to return to active duty, re-joining the Navy as a third class petty officer.<ref>Fellman, Sam (December 12, 2011). [http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/12/navy-twice-discharged-sailor-daniels-reinstated-121211/ "Twice-discharged gay sailor reinstated"], ''Navy Times''. Retrieved January 29, 2012.</ref> On December 2, Air Force intelligence officer Ginger Wallace became the first open LGBT service member to have a same-sex partner participate in the "pinning-on" ceremony that marked her promotion to colonel.<ref>Chris Johnson, (December 1, 2011). [http://www.washingtonblade.com/2011/12/01/pinning-on-ceremony-big-deal-for-lesbian-couple-2/ "'Pinning-on' ceremony 'big deal' for lesbian couple"], ''Washington Blade'': Retrieved January 28, 2012; Parrish, Karen (January 25, 2012). [https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/id/66924/ "Colonel 'Proud, Humbled' to Represent Gay, Lesbian Troops"], Department of Defense: Retrieved January 27, 2012</ref> On December 23, after 80 days at sea, US Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta won the right to the traditional "first kiss" upon returning to port and shared it with her same-sex partner.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=2011-12-21 |title=Two women share historic kiss at US Navy ship's return |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/dec/21/two-women-kiss-navy-pier |access-date=2024-06-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> On January 20, 2012, U.S. service members deployed to [[Bagram|Bagram, Afghanistan]], produced a video in support of the [[It Gets Better Project]], which aims to support LGBT at-risk youth.<ref>Murray, Rheana (January 23, 2012). [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/lgbt-service-members-afghanistan-post-better-video-encourage-youth-bullied-sexuality-article-1.1010451 "LGBT servicemembers in Afghanistan post 'It Gets Better' video to encourage youth bullied because of sexuality"], ''Daily News'' (New York). Retrieved January 27, 2012.</ref> Widespread news coverage continued even months after the repeal date, when a photograph of Marine Sgt. Brandon Morgan kissing his partner at a February 22, 2012, homecoming celebration on [[Marine Corps Base Hawaii]] went [[Viral video|viral]].<ref>''Miami Herald'': Rothaus, Steve (February 28, 2012). [http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2012/02/marine-partner-reflect-on-gay-kiss-seen-around-the-globe-the-world-went-away-for-a-few-minutes.html "Gay marine, partner reflect on first kiss seen around the globe: 'The world went away for a few minutes'"]. Retrieved March 1, 2012; MSNBC: [https://web.archive.org/web/20120302193451/http://video.msnbc.msn.com/msnbc-tv/46574131 "Marine in gay kiss photo: Breaking stereotypes a 'good feeling'"], February 28, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2012.</ref> When asked for a comment, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps said: "It's your typical homecoming photo."<ref>Rowan Scarborough, (March 1, 2012). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/1/gay-marines-kiss-sparks-praise-anger/ "Gay Marine’s kiss sparks praise, anger"], ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved March 1, 2012.</ref>

On September 30, 2011, Under Secretary of Defense [[Clifford L. Stanley|Clifford Stanley]] announced the DOD's policy that military chaplains are allowed to perform same-sex marriages "on or off a military installation" where local law permits them. His memo noted that "a chaplain is not required to participate in or officiate a private ceremony if doing so would be in variance with the tenets of his or her religion" and "a military chaplain's participation in a private ceremony does not constitute an endorsement of the ceremony by DoD".<ref>Keyes, Charley (September 30, 2011). [https://archive.today/20120707160432/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-09-30/us/us_same-sex-marriage-military_1_military-chaplains-marriage-act-military-installation "Military chaplains allowed to perform same-sex weddings"], CNN: Retrieved February 21, 2012</ref> Some religious groups announced that their chaplains would not participate in such weddings, including an organization of evangelical Protestants, the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty<ref>Stanley, Paul (October 6, 2011). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/evangelical-chaplains-refuse-to-marry-gay-couples-on-military-bases-57498/ "Evangelical Chaplains Refuse to Marry Gay Couples on Military Bases"], ''The Christian Post'': Retrieved March 3, 2012</ref> and Roman Catholics led by Archbishop [[Timothy P. Broglio|Timothy Broglio]] of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA|Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA]].<ref>Andrew Tilghman, (September 30, 2011). [http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/09/military-same-sex-weddings-church-opposes-093011w/ "Church leader opposes DoD on same-sex weddings"], ''Army Times''. Retrieved March 5, 2012.</ref>

In late October 2011, speaking at the [[United States Air Force Academy|Air Force Academy]], Colonel Gary Packard, leader of the team that drafted the DOD's repeal implementation plan, said: "The best quote I've heard so far is, 'Well, some people's Facebook status changed, but that was about it.{{'"}}<ref>U.S. Air Force Academy: [https://www.usafa.af.mil/news/story?id=123275359 Don Branum, "Academy experts discuss effects of DADT repeal"], October 25, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2012.</ref> In late November, discussing the repeal of DADT and its implementation, Marine General [[James F. Amos]] said "I'm very pleased with how it has gone" and called it a "non-event". He said his earlier public opposition was appropriate based on ongoing combat operations and the negative assessment of the policy given by 56% of combat troops under his command in the Department of Defense's November 2010 survey. A Defense Department spokesperson said implementation of repeal occurred without incident and added: "We attribute this success to our comprehensive pre-repeal training program, combined with the continued close monitoring and enforcement of standards by our military leaders at all levels."<ref>Burns, Robert (November 28, 2011). [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/28/dont-ask-dont-tell-marines_n_1115778.html "Don't Ask Don't Tell: Top Marine Says Service Embracing Gay Ban Repeal"], ''Huffington Post''. Retrieved January 31, 2012.</ref>

In December 2011, Congress considered two DADT-related amendments in the course of work on the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012|National Defense Authorization Act for 2012]]. The Senate approved 97–3, an amendment removing the prohibition on sodomy found in [[Uniform Code of Military Justice#Punitive articles|Article 125]] of the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]] as recommended by the Comprehensive Review Working Group (CRWG) a year earlier.<ref name="sodomyban">Geidner, Chris (December 12, 2011). [http://metroweekly.com/poliglot/2011/12/defense-bill-conference-report.html "Defense Bill Conference Report Strips Anti-Gay House Language, Keeps Military Sodomy Ban"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109071557/http://metroweekly.com/poliglot/2011/12/defense-bill-conference-report.html |date=January 9, 2012 }}, ''MetroWeekly'': Retrieved February 20, 2012</ref><ref>Article 125's prohibition against bestiality was included in its definition of sodomy. House Republicans, the [[Family Research Council]], and [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals]] objected to the removal of "unnatural carnal copulation&nbsp;... with an animal" from Article 125, not "unnatural carnal copulation with another person of the same or opposite sex". See: Herb, Jeremy (December 9, 2011). [https://thehill.com/policy/defense/181093-repeal-of-sodomy-bestiality-ban-sparks-fight-on-defense-bill/ "Repeal of sodomy, bestiality ban sparks fight on Defense bill"], ''The Hill'': Retrieved February 20, 2012: "The Pentagon, however, says that even if the article in the military code was repealed, having sex with animals would still be covered under different statutes. 'It is difficult to envision a situation where a service member engages in sexual conduct with an animal that would not be conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline or service-discrediting,' said Defense spokesman Lt. Col. Todd Breasseale."</ref> The House approved an amendment banning same-sex marriages from being performed at military bases or by military employees, including chaplains and other employees of the military when "acting in an official capacity". Neither amendment appeared in the final legislation.<ref name=sodomyban />

In July 2012, the Department of Defense granted permission for military personnel to wear their uniforms while participating in the San Diego Pride Parade. This was the first time that U.S. military personnel were permitted to wear their service uniforms in such a parade.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/20/u-s-military-can-wear-uniform-in-san-diego-gay-pride-parade-defense-department/|title=U.S. military can wear uniform in San Diego gay pride parade: Defense Department|date=July 20, 2012|work=CNN|access-date=March 26, 2013|archive-date=July 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715133803/https://security.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/20/u-s-military-can-wear-uniform-in-san-diego-gay-pride-parade-defense-department/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Marking the first anniversary of the passage of the Repeal Act, television news networks reported no incidents in the three months since DADT ended. One aired video of a social gathering for gay service members at a base in Afghanistan.<ref>NBC Nightly News: [https://archive.today/20120908124545/http://www.nbc.com/news-sports/msnbc-video/2011/12/no-incidents-reported-since-dadt-repealed/ "No incidents reported since DADT repealed"], December 21, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2012.</ref> Another reported on the experience of lesbian and gay troops, including some rejection after coming out to colleagues.<ref>Tejada, Alicia (December 24, 2011). [https://abcnews.go.com/US/frontlines-us-soldiers-reflect/story?id=15228953 "'Out' on the Front Lines: Troops Reflect on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'"], ABC News: Retrieved March 3, 2012</ref>

The Palm Center, a [[think tank]] that studies issues of sexuality and the military, released a study in September 2012 that found no negative consequences, nor any effect on military effectiveness from DADT repeal. This study began six months following repeal and concluded at the one year mark. The study included surveys of 553 generals and admirals who had opposed repeal, experts who supported DADT, and more than 60 heterosexual, gay, lesbian and bisexual active duty service personnel.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shapiro|first=Lila|title=Don't Ask Don't Tell Study Shows No Negative Effects On Military One Year After Repeal|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/10/dont-ask-dont-tell-study_n_1868892.html|work=Huffington Post|access-date=September 10, 2012|date=September 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Belkin|first=Aaron|author2=Morton Ender|title=Readiness and DADT Repeal: Has the New Policy of Open Service Undermined the Military?|journal=Armed Forces & Society|volume=39|issue=4|pages=587|year=2013|doi=10.1177/0095327X12466248|s2cid=145357049}}</ref>

On January 7, 2013, the ACLU reached a settlement with the federal government in ''Collins v. United States''. It provided for the payment of full separation pay to service members discharged under DADT since November 10, 2004, who had previously been granted only half that.<ref>{{cite news|last=Geidner|first=Chris|title=Servicemembers Kicked Out Under Military's Gay Ban Since '04 To Receive Full Separation Pay|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/servicemembers-kicked-out-under-militarys-gay-ban|access-date=January 7, 2013|newspaper=Buzz Feed|date=January 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109011201/http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/servicemembers-kicked-out-under-militarys-gay-ban|archive-date=January 9, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>