Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010

| name = Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 | image = | long_title = An Act to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell | citation = Public Law 111-321 | location = | date_enacted = December 22, 2010 | date_signed = December 22, 2010 | date_effective = September 20, 2011 | legislatures = 111th United States Congress | sponsor = Senator Carl Levin | introduced_by = Senator Hillary Clinton | introduced_date = March 2, 2010

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 was a landmark legislation that repealed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which had prohibited LGBT individuals from serving openly in the United States Armed Forces. The policy, enacted in 1993, had been a contentious issue for many years, with LGBT rights organizations and military leaders advocating for its repeal. The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 was signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 22, 2010.

Background and legislative history

The Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was enacted in 1993, during the presidency of Bill Clinton, as a compromise between Clinton and Congressional Republicans. The policy prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted LGBT individuals, but also prohibited openly LGBT individuals from serving in the military. The policy was widely criticized by LGBT rights organizations, including Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD, as well as by some military leaders, including General Eric Shinseki, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. In 2010, Senator Carl Levin introduced a bill to repeal the policy, which was co-sponsored by Senator Hillary Clinton and other lawmakers.

The bill was debated and negotiated in Congress for several months, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about the impact of open LGBT service on military morale and effectiveness. However, a comprehensive study by the U.S. Department of Defense found no evidence to support these concerns, and the bill was ultimately passed by both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

Provisions of the Act

The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 repealed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, effective 60 days after certification by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that implementation of the repeal would not harm military readiness. The Act also prohibited discrimination against LGBT individuals in the military, and provided protections for military personnel who are LGBT individuals. The Act did not provide for open transgender service, which remains a contentious issue in the military.

Implementation and certification

The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 was implemented on September 20, 2011, after certification by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. The certification was based on a comprehensive review of the impact of open LGBT service on military morale and effectiveness. The review found that open LGBT service had not harmed military readiness, and that LGBT individuals were serving openly and effectively in the military.

Impact and effects

The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 has had a significant impact on LGBT individuals serving in the military. According to a 2012 survey by the U.S. Department of Defense, 93% of LGBT individuals reported that they had experienced no change in their unit's cohesion or performance since the repeal of the policy. The repeal has also been seen as a significant step forward for LGBT rights, and has been cited as an example of the progress that can be made through advocacy and activism.

Public and political reaction

The Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 was widely praised by LGBT rights organizations, including Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD, as well as by many military leaders and veterans' groups. The repeal was seen as a significant victory for LGBT individuals and a major step forward for LGBT rights. However, some lawmakers and commentators expressed concerns about the impact of open LGBT service on military morale and effectiveness, which were not borne out by subsequent studies and experience.

Category:2010 legislation in the United States