With a successful vote on attaching DADT repeal language to the 2011 defense spending bill expected for tomorrow, some organizations and politicians have begun claiming a “win.” However, for many currently-serving soldiers, the repeal of the explicitly discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will be bittersweet following Monday’s compromise between repeal leaders in the House and Senate, and military leaders and the White House. The repeal bill will require President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Bob Gates, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen to certify in writing that a repeal would not harm military readiness, would not take effect until after the Pentagon completes its review of how to implement a repeal, and would not include any language prohibiting the Pentagon from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. In response, Army National Guard Lt. Dan Choi, famous for chaining himself to the White House fence to protest DADT, has started a hunger strike along with former Army Capt. James Pietrangelo demanding for an end to the Pentagon’s study process, an end to all DADT discharges, and the inclusion of anti-discrimination language in the defense spending bill.

Elsewhere…

D.C. – The CIA allegedly planned to make a sex tape showing a Saddam Hussein-impersonator screwing teenage boys as a way to discredit him to Iraqis before the Iraq invasion. (EDGE)

South Carolina – Hundreds protest HIV funding cuts that target the 2,055 poor South Carolinians who depend on state assistance to pay for their HIV medications. (The State)

New York – The Transgender Legal Defense Fund celebrates its 5th Anniversary! Yay! (The Bilerico Project)

China – Yet another worker in iPhone maker Foxconn’s plants commits suicide, allegedly driven by the plant’s horrendous working conditions. (Associated Press)