Here are some reactions to the passage of the bill:
It’s been 17 long years of continuous struggle. But knowing that gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the military will no longer face the indignity and injustice of denying who they are or hiding who they love makes it all worth it.
Every time we win a victory like this, I’m reminded that the singular moment of success only comes after years of effort. When we win a lawsuit, it’s usually after mountains of legal research, case preparation, court filings, and appeals. And some legislative victories can take years of public education, advocacy and “down in the trenches” organizing.
— Anthony Romero, ACLU
I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Senators Lieberman and Collins and the countless others who have worked so hard to get this done. It is time to close this chapter in our history. It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly. I urge the Senate to send this bill to my desk so that I can sign it into law.
— President Obama
This is an historic day, not just for gay and lesbian servicemembers, but for all Americans. Today the Senate voted, with strong Republican support, to finally end a policy which has burdened our armed services for far too long, depriving our nation of the talent, training and hardwon battle experience of thousands of patriotic Americans. Soon, the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who sacrifice so much to defend our freedom will be able t o enjoy those same freedoms equally, without regard to sexual orientation. Log Cabin Republicans is proud to have played a role in this victory, and we thank our allies in Congress, without whom repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ would not have been possible.
— Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director R. Clarke Cooper and an out officer in the United States Army Reserve.
“Today it further evidence that the fight for equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans, which has historically been seen as a partisan issue is increasingly becoming bipartisan. Just as conservative Ted Olson and liberal David Boies came together in the fight for marriage equality, we are glad to see that the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell had strong bipartisan support, and that Republican Senators Brown, Burr, Ensign, Kirk, Voinovich, Collins, Murkowski and Snowe and Independent Senator Joe Lieberman worked alongside their Democratic colleagues to end this unfair policy and to take a stand for human rights.
“Finally, we want to congratulate and thank the Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund, Human Rights Campaign, Center for American Progress, Lt. Dan Choi and the many others who fought long and hard to close this cruel chapter of government-sanctioned discrimination. The American Foundation for Equal Rights will continue its work to ensure all Americans are treated equally and share the same fundamental constitutional rights.”
— American Foundation for Equal Rights Board President Chad Griffin