# Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

> Ended the policy barring openly gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans from military service. Repeal legislation signed December 22, 2010.

Barack Obama · Culture & Social · Legislation · Dec 22, 2010
Official record: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Ask,_Don%27t_Tell_Repeal_Act_of_2010

## What happened

Ended the policy barring openly gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans from military service.

## How it happened

Repeal legislation signed December 22, 2010; implemented in 2011 after a certification process.

## Documented impact

- [positive / substantiated] Allowed open service without harming readiness. — Pentagon studies found no adverse effect on cohesion or readiness; thousands could serve openly.
- [mixed / contested] Opposed by some on readiness grounds at the time. — Some military leaders and lawmakers initially opposed repeal, though majorities of the public supported it.

## Sources

- [DADT Repeal Act (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Ask,_Don%27t_Tell_Repeal_Act_of_2010)

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Canonical: https://eo.alanwizemann.com/eo/obama/repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell