by Rhonda Kim

Created on: January 08, 2011   Last Updated: January 09, 2011

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is history. Well, sort of.

On Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, the Senate, including eight Republicans, joined the House in voting to repeal the law, according to the New York Times. The final count: 65 to 31.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" came into effect in 1993 under President Clinton to improve on the prior policy denying entry to all who admitted they were gay. Under "DADT," the servicemen and servicewomen no longer had to state if they were gay - but could still be fired if it was discovered later.

Gay servicepeople around the world are elated, but there are still hurdles ahead. For one, in order for the ban to be implemented, there must be a certification by President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen that the U.S. military is prepared for implementation. And after that, there is still a 60-day grace period before it goes into effect.  

So how can the transition be made as smoothly as possible?

Defense Secretary Robert Gates believes that "Successful implementation will depend upon strong leadership, a clear message and proactive education throughout the force." Bernard Rostker, former Undersecretary for Manpower at the Pentagon, agrees that we must "prepare a code of conduct," communicate "Clear expectations" and that it's necessary to "Train leaders" about the new military standards that lay ahead.

Training is certainly crucial. The ban will not work if real sensitivity training and actual exposure to gay colleagues are not part of the equation. 

A clear message can only be given if there is strong oversight in place. The mere existence of a law is meaningless unless it is enforced. Moreover, a zero tolerance policy for discrimination or harassment of any kind is absolutely essential. 

In addition, leadership must be on board. While it appears that many high-ranking military officials already are, that support must be consistent throughout commanding officers in every branch of the military.  There is simply no way the message of gay inclusion will truly be conveyed to the rank and file if their leaders do not buy it.

Not surprisingly, there are some high-level figures who openly, or covertly, oppose the repeal. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz sent out an e-mail to his airmen telling them that "meanwhile, the current law remains in effect. All Air Force members should conduct themselves accordingly."

Pentagon spokesman Marine Col. Dave Lapan reminded reporters that the ban against gays in the military is still in effect as of now. He went on to clarify that any service member who admitted to being gay "would risk enforcement of the current law — which calls for removal from service."

And disappointingly, even Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.), former presidential candidate, stated publicly that "at this moment of immense hardship for our armed services, we should not be seeking to overturn the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy."

But you know what? The same thing happened with blacks and women being accepted into society before it was considered the norm. That this ban should have been voted in by such a wide margin, and that we have a President who is completely behind it, is proof that the times indeed are a-changing. Let's just make sure they do the right things to ensure they a-change the way they should.

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