Military to Certify End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Today

The Washington Post is reporting that the Pentagon will certify the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell today thus setting the stage of the final end to this discriminatory policy that raised Christianist anti-gay bigotry to a national policy level. Expect more shrieking and screaming form the professional Christian hate groups as they lose one of their most special privileges and tools to depict LGBT citizens as inferior. With DADT headed for the trash heap of history some of the Christofascists - e.g., Elaine Donnelly - will be faced with the prospect of needing to find a real job as donations likely start to dwindle. In this region with its huge military presence I expect over time the number of "out" members of the LGBT community will rise as service members cease to be afraid to reveal their true selves. As that happens, I believe the trend towards openness will spread into the business world, including the many defense contractors located in Hampton Roads. Here are some highlights from the Post story:
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Top Pentagon leaders will say Friday that the military is ready to permit gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military, allowing President Obama to formally end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, according to a U.S. official and others familiar with the plans.
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In accordance with a law passed in December that set in motion the process of ending the ban, Obama first must receive notice from Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and top uniformed brass that the military is prepared to end the policy before the government stops enforcing it. The policy will end 60 days after Obama formally certifies the repeal in writing to Congress.
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If Obama signs the certification in the coming days, the ban would end in late September.
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Obama met Wednesday at the White House with Panetta, who will be formally sworn in to his new job by Vice President Biden on Friday at the Pentagon. The White House isn't planning to formally mark the end of “don't ask, don’t tell” with any type of public event until the end of the 60-day period, sources said.
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Once the almost 18-year ban ends, gays and lesbians serving in military uniform will be able to publicly reveal their sexual identity without fear of dismissal or official rebuke, openly gay men and women will be able to enlist in the military, and gay couples may be allowed to wed at military chapels or live together on military bases in states that recognize same-sex marriages.
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As the Post goes on to report, the end of DADT will not end all legalized discrimination for LGBT service members because DOMA will continue to bar military spousal benefits for gay couples, including potential housing options and survivor benefits. Thus, Christianist bigotry will not be totally removed from the nations laws and the need to repeal DOMA will become more evident than ever. Nonetheless, the end of DADT is huge - especially for areas like Hampton Roads and other parts of Virginia where the military has a huge presence.