Obama Hails DADT Repeal: End Of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Means Gay Servicemembers 'No Longer Have To Lie'

WASHINGTON -- Obama is marking the finish of the ban on gays serving within the military. He said the defense force won't shed the abilities and combat experience of so numerous gay and lesbian service members.

At 1 minute past midnight EDT, a brand new law took effect repealing a 1993 law that allowed gays for everyone only so lengthy because they kept their sexual orientation private.

Obama says that since these days, "patriotic Americans in uniform won't have to lie about who they are as a way to serve the nation they adore." Obama also stated that he wanted people who had been discharged under the 1993 law to understand the U.S. deeply values their service.

Below, Obama's full statement within the "don't ask, don't tell" repeal:

Today, the discriminatory law known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is finally and formally repealed. As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service.

I was proud to sign the Repeal Act into law last December because I knew that it would enhance our national security, increase our military readiness, and bring us closer to the principles of equality and fairness that define us as Americans. Today's achievement is a tribute to all the patriots who fought and marched for change; to Members of Congress, from both parties, who voted for repeal; to our civilian and military leaders who ensured a smooth transition; and to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform who showed that they were ready to move forward together, as one team, to meet the missions we ask of them.

For more than two centuries, we have worked to extend America's promise to all our citizens. Our armed forces have been both a mirror and a catalyst of that progress, and our troops, including gays and lesbians, have given their lives to defend the freedoms and liberties that we cherish as Americans. Today, every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation’s founding ideals.