Obama certifies repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'

Somewhere, Lady Gaga is celebrating. President Obama has certified the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the military’s ban on openly gay soldiers. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen also signed off on the repeal, starting the clock on a 60-day waiting period until it is fully eliminated. “As of September 20,” Obama said, “service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country.”

Erica Berube holds a sign at a rally in Portland, Maine on Sep. 20, 2010. (Photo: Gregory Rec, EPA / Landov)

By Michael Winter, USA TODAY

Updated 3h 47m ago

Jul 22, 2011

President Obama has certified the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," clearing the way for gays to serve openly in the military.

Update at 5:01 p.m. ET: Here's the president's complete statement and the certification (pdf).

Update at 4:27 p.m. ET: "As of Sept. 20, servicemembers will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country," Obama said in a statement.

He was joined by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen.

Original post: President Obama has certified the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," clearing the way for gays to serve openly in military, the Associated Press reports.

The certification will take effect in 60 days. Obama signed the congressional repeal in December.