Senate Votes to Repeal DADT. Kirk Votes In Favor of Repeal

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 19, 2010 3:30PM

The Senate made history yesterday and, frankly, did the right thing yesterday, voting to end the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays and lesbians in the military. The vote stands as a landmark in gay rights and helps President Obama fulfill a campaign promise.

The vote to repeal became an academic issue yesterday after the Senate approved a cloture vote in the morning for a full vote on the repeal, which saw staunch opposition from Arizona Senator John McCain. As for Illinois' Senators, both Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk voted in favor of the repeal. Kirk, a veteran himself, was one of eight Republicans who joined Democrats in voting to repeal "DADT." Locally, former gay veterans who were discharged from the military for violating "DADT" celebrated and even called Kirk's office to thank him for his vote.

Lifting the ban won't take place immediately. First, the President and Joint Cheifs of Staff must certify that lifting the ban won't put troops in danger. That will be followed by a 60-day waiting period.