Barack Obama Signs DADT Repeal Bill into Law

This morning Barack Obama belatedly made good on a campaign promise to sign legislation into law repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell ("DADT") which has plagued LGBT service members for 17 years. Unfortunately, it will be months before repeal becomes truly effective as the military "writes regulations" and implements repeal. Until this happens, LGBT service members will need to continue to live in fear of discharge or reprisals. Also, today Harry Reid returned to Dan Choi the West Point ring that Choi gave to Reid last July with a statement that Reid could return the ring if and when DADT was repealed (see photo at right). The New York Times has coverage on the bill signing today and here are details:
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The military’s longstanding ban on service by gays and lesbians came to a historic and symbolic end on Wednesday, as President Obama signed legislation repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the contentious 17-year old Clinton-era law that sought to allow gays to serve under the terms of an uneasy compromise that required them to keep their sexuality a secret.
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“No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie or look over their shoulder,” Mr. Obama said during a signing ceremony in a packed auditorium at the Interior Department here. Quoting the chairman of his joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, Mr. Obama went on, “Our people sacrifice a lot for their country, including their lives. None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well.”
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The repeal does not immediately put a stop to “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Mr. Obama must still certify that changing the law to allow homosexual and bisexual men and women to serve openly in all branches of the military will not harm readiness, as must Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mullen, before the military can implement the new law.
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While there is still significant resistance within the military to the change in policy, especially within the Marine Corps, at least one proponent — Representative Barney Frank, the openly gay Democrat from Massachusetts — insisted on Wednesday that this latest effort to integrate the armed services will go more smoothly than did racial or gender integration.
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While many gay people in the military are now breathing a sigh of relief, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which represents soldiers facing charges under the policy, is warning its members that they are “still at risk” because the repeal will not take full effect until 60 days after Mr. Obama, the defense secretary and admiral certify readiness.

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Am I pleased that DADT is on the way out? Most definitely. However, I hope the DADT challenge in Log Cabin Republicans v. United States continues and that the 9th Circuit finds the law unconstitutional. At that point, Obama can refrain from an appeal and we will have both an appellate court ruling plus the new legislation driving a stake through the heart of DADT - just in case the GOP tries to play games next year. Here's a video of today's signing ceremony: