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Marking the end of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ After almost 18 years, the Pentagon formally repeals the ban on gays in uniform, known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” permitting troops for the first time to publicly reveal that they’re gay without fear of official retribution.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 20: (L-R) Ret. Army Col. Andy Leonard, Tracey Hepner, Ret. USN Capt Mike Rankin and Ret. Coast Guard Resv Robert Crane celebrate the repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell at the K Street Lounge in Washington, DC on September 20, 2011. The repeal marks the total end to the military policy from the 1993 Clinton administration permitting closeted homosexuals from serving in the military. The policy prohibited military personnel from being discriminated against or harrassed if they were gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals in the military. (Linda Davidson / Washington Post)
Linda Davidson
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THE WASHINGTON POST
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WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 20: (L-R) Navy Lt's. Kevin Naughton 31, Lt. Chris George and Ret. USN Capt. Mike Rankin, 75, celebrate the repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell at the K Street Lounge in Washington, DC on September 20, 2011. The repeal marks the total end to the military policy from the 1993 Clinton administration permitting closeted homosexuals from serving in the military. The policy prohibited military personnel from being discriminated against or harrassed if they were gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals in the military. (Linda Davidson / Washington Post)
Linda Davidson
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THE WASHINGTON POST
Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer Joseph Rocha, center, hugs Bevan Dufty, formerly of San Francisco Board of Supervisors. (AP)
Imani Brown of SF Pride holds up a sign at a news conference in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011. The U.S. military passed a historic milestone Tuesday with the repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in uniform, ending a prohibition that President Barack Obama said had forced gay and lesbian service members to "lie about who they are." (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Jeff Chiu
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AP
Navy Counselor 1st Class Luz Bautista, a lesbian whose partner is also in the military, poses for a photo in Los Angeles, California September 20, 2011. President Barack Obama on Tuesday hailed the end of the policy banning gays from serving openly in the U.S. armed forces, as the Pentagon vowed "zero tolerance" for harassment of homosexuals in the military. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES - Tags: MILITARY POLITICS)
LUCY NICHOLSON
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REUTERS
Retired U.S. Navy Petty Officer Joseph Rocha, foreground, hugs retired Navy Commander Zoe Dunning before a news conference in San Francisco, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011. The U.S. military passed a historic milestone Tuesday with the repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in uniform, ending a prohibition that President Barack Obama said had forced gay and lesbian service members to "lie about who they are." (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Jeff Chiu
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AP
Sept. 20, 2011
A man holds an American flag as he watches a news conference marking the end of "don't ask, don't tell" in San Francisco. The end of the 18 year-old law took effect today, allowing gays to openly serve in the armed forces.
Justin Sullivan
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Getty Images
Sept. 20, 2011
Former U.S. Navy petty officer Joseph Rocha, left, who was discharged in 2007 under "don't ask, don't tell," holds a sign during a news conference in San Francisco marking the end of the law.
Justin Sullivan
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Getty Images
Sept. 20, 2011
American Legion District 8 commander John Forrett smiles during a news conference marking the end of "don't ask, don't tell" in San Francisco.
Justin Sullivan
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Getty Images
Sept. 20, 2011
Former U.S. Navy petty officer Joseph Rocha, who was discharged in 2007 under "don't ask, don't tell," speaks during a news conference in San Francisco.
Justin Sullivan
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Getty Images
Sept. 20, 2011
Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), left, walks with Air Force 1st Lt. Josh Seefried from Longmont, Colo., during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, to mark the end of "don't ask, don't tell."
Charles Dharapak
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AP
Sept. 20, 2011
Navy Lt. Gary Ross, right, and Dan Swezy exchange wedding vows in Duxbury, Vt. The two men recited their vows at the first possible moment after the formal repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The partners of 11 years married at the stroke of midnight, just as the ban ended. At center is Justice of the Peace Greg Trulson.
Toby Talbot
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AP
Sept. 20, 2011
People embrace just after midnight during a celebration of the end of the military policy known as "don't ask, don't tell" in a bar in San Diego.
Gregory Bull
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AP
Sept. 20, 2011
Two men kiss shortly after midnight during a celebration in San Diego of the end of the military policy known as "don't ask, don't tell.''
Gregory Bull
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AP
Sept. 20, 2011
A man who is active-duty in the Navy, who gave his name only as Matt, wears a shirt being signed by others that reads "I survived D.A.D.T." (don't ask, don't tell) shortly before midnight in a bar in San Diego during a celebration of the end of the policy.
Gregory Bull
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AP
Sean Hackbarth, 44, right, and his partner Mike Culver, 46, in their home in Shirlington with their dogs Shya and Sachi. Hackbarth, an Air Force lieutenant colonel, says "It'll be nice to have it easier," with the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Marvin Joseph
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The Washington Post
Sean Hackbarth, right, and his partner, Mike Culver, plan to attend parties with other gay and lesbian troops and veterans to celebrate Tuesday’s achievement
Marvin Joseph
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The Washington Post
Culver, a former Air Force engineer, and Hackbarth in the kitchen of their home in Shirlington.
Marvin Joseph
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The Washington Post
Sean Hackbarth does some repairs on his home in Shirlington. His 22-year military career almost ended in 1996 when an angry former boyfriend threatened to out him to commanders.
Marvin Joseph
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The Washington Post
Culver says: “I’m not looking for widespread social acceptance. I’m looking for the ability to walk in and unplug the breathing machine one day if I have to.”
Marvin Joseph
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The Washington Post
For Hackbarth and Culver, the repeal changes so much about their lives. It means, for example, finally sharing personal anecdotes with colleagues who don’t know their whole story.
Marvin Joseph
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The Washington Post
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