Freedom in Speech

Last Updated on Saturday, 11 June 2011 07:44 Written by www.advocate.com Tuesday, 07 June 2011 13:48

The U.S. Army has launched a website that addresses issues and concerns related to the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

The website's introduction reads thus: "Since 1993, the law and policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) has provided that homosexual conduct is a bar to service in the Armed Forces. On Dec. 22, 2010, the DADT Repeal Act of 2010 became law. It provides for the repeal of DADT to be effective 60 days after the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify to Congress that the Armed Forces are prepared to implement repeal. The Army began educating Army personnel on the process and policies associated with the repeal of DADT on Feb. 17, 2011, in order to prepare the force for implementation. Until 60 days after certification, the law commonly known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" remains in effect, and the Department of Defense will continue to apply the law as it is obligated to do."

The website includes a list of the top 10 things to know about repeal — including the fact that soldiers will not be segregated and that sexual orientation of soldiers will not be called into question. There's also an FAQ section, e.g. "When will certification and repeal occur?" and "Does repeal affect standards of conduct?"

View the website here.