Policy on gays revoked

McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON

The Senate voted 65-31 Saturday to end the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays and lesbians in the military, as President Barack Obama declared, “It is time to close this chapter in our history.”

The vote, which sends the bill to Obama for his signature, not only was a historic triumph for gay rights, but it sets the stage for gays to serve openly in the military for the first time.

It was lauded as “one of those moments in our history when we stepped up and squared our policies with the values this nation was founded on,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Obama left no doubt he will push to implement the new policy.

Obama’s signature will not mean instant repeal, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates pledged Saturday to move quickly.

On the final vote, eight Republicans — including George Voinovich of Ohio, — joined 55 Democrats and two independents in backing the measure.

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