Senate repeals ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

In a historic vote, the United States Senate repealed the military’s ban on gay and lesbian soldiers serving openly in the military.

In a bi-partisan vote of 65-31, the Senate has cleared the way for President Obama to end the Pentagon’s policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell, reports the Associate Press. The House of Representatives passed an identical version of the bill earlier this week.

An end to the policy would mean that for the first time, gay and lesbian soldiers could openly serve and share their sexual orientation in the military without fear of consequences or being discharged.

To date more than 13,500 members of the military have had their service terminated because of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” reports the Associated Press.

For full coverage of the repeal, click here.