Activists have urged President Obama to deliver on the repeal of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ The US Senate has taken a key step towards allowing gay people to serve openly in the military.
Senators decided by 63-33 to advance a bill overturning the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for a final vote, which is expected soon.
Repeal is now said to be certain as the House of Representatives has already backed it. President Barack Obama, who supports the repeal, welcomed the vote.
Opponents argue that the change will damage troop morale at a time of war.
More than 13,000 service members have been dismissed under the 1993 law forbidding gay people in the military from acknowledging their sexual orientation.
Saturday’s procedural move precludes delaying tactics under Senate rules, clearing the way for a final vote.
Afterwards, President Obama said ending the ban would mean that “thousands of patriotic Americans” will not be forced to leave the military “because they happen to be gay”.
The repeal, if enacted, is to take effect after a 60-day period allowing the defence department to consider how to implement the new policy.
Aubrey Sarvis, head of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an advocacy group, said after the Senate vote: “Until the president signs the bill, until there is certification, and until the 60-day Congressional period is over, no-one should be investigated or discharged under this discriminatory law.”
Mr Obama has made overturning “don’t ask, don’t tell” a key part of his agenda since taking office in 2009.
Earlier this month, a Pentagon report said that allowing openly gay troops would have little impact on the cohesion of US forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Democrats, who still control both house of Congress, have said they want to approve the repeal before the start of a new Congress in January.
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