President Barack Obama's opposition to
and ending of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” was featured in a video
played at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) last week.
Obama speaking at his December, 2010
DADT repeal signing ceremony opens the nearly 2-minute video, titled
Stronger Together: Don't Ask Don't Tell.
“For a long time your service has
demanded a particular kind of sacrifice,” Obama said. “You've
been asked to carry the added burden of secrecy and isolation. And
all the while you've put your lives on the line for the freedoms and
privileges of citizenship that are not fully granted to you.”
“So this morning I am proud to sign a
law that will bring an end to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'” the
president added. “This will strengthen our national security and
uphold the ideals that our fighting men and women risk their lives to
defend.” (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
The military policy which banned gay
and bisexual troops from serving openly officially came to end on
September 20, 2011.
During his first campaign for the White
House, Obama pledged he would repeal the policy.