I have long believed that once gays and lesbians are allowed to serve openly and proudly in its armed forces, other types of discrimination against them in the USA will begin to crumble.
Senate votes to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell'
The Senate voted decisively Saturday to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law, beginning the process of ending a 17-year ban on gays serving openly in the military and reversing decades of official military policy.
link: Senate votes to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell'
A nation that revers its men and women in uniform, as does the USA, can hardly then foster or tolerate prejudice against those same men and women. The news out of the US Congress today is then joyful and, I hope, a harbinger of more progress on marriage law and towards full equality and, ultimately, equal respect. The North American spillover effect will be good for Canada too.
To all the men and women who have worked to achieve this happy moment, congratulations and sincerest thanks. There is good news for gays and lesbians around the world in your accomplishment. To Lt Dan Choi and the others who have suffered illness from the stress of the campaign, a speedy and complete recovery.
