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On This Day In 1993, Bill Clinton Announced 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

20 Years Ago Today, Bill Clinton Announced 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
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By 

Global Social Media Editor, HuffPost

President Bill Clinton announced the military's policy on gay service members on July 19, 1993 -- 20 years ago today. The policy, known as "don't ask, don't tell," allowed closeted members of the military to serve, while prohibiting those in the military who were openly gay to serve. Prior to "don't ask, don't tell," there had been an outright ban on gays in the military.

"It is not a perfect solution," Clinton said as he announced the policy. "It is not identical with some of my own goals. And it certainly will not please everyone, perhaps not anyone, and clearly not those who hold the most adamant opinions on either side of this issue."

Still, Clinton called DADT "a major step forward."

As the nation's attitudes about homosexuality shifted, a movement grew to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." In 2010, Clinton said he regretted the policy.

Later that year, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed a measure repealing DADT.

"I hope those ... who've been discharged under this discriminatory policy will seek to re-enlist once the repeal is implemented," Obama said as he signed the bill into law.

"Don't ask, don't tell," officially ended in September 2011, when the repeal took effect.

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Before You Go

Gay Marriage In The United States
Connecticut(01 of14)
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Since November 12, 2008 (credit:AP)
Delaware(02 of14)
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Gay marriage law enacted, weddings to begin July 1. (credit:Getty Images)
Iowa(03 of14)
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Since April 3, 2009 (credit:Getty)
Maine(04 of14)
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In 2012, Maine voted in favor of a ballot amendment to legalize gay marriage. (credit:Alamy)
Maryland(05 of14)
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The gay marriage bill was signed into law by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) on March 1, 2012. Opponents later gathered enough signatures to force the issue back onto the ballot in November 2012, but voters rejected the effort against gay marriage. (credit:AP)
Massachusetts(06 of14)
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Since May 17, 2004 (credit:AP)
Minnesota(07 of14)
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Same-sex marriage bill signed into law in May. Gay marriages will begin in August. (credit:Getty Images)
New Hampshire(08 of14)
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Since January 1, 2010 (credit:Flickr: jimbowen0306)
New York(09 of14)
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Since July 24, 2011 (credit:Flickr: alh1)
Rhode Island(10 of14)
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Bill passed in May. Law takes effect on August 1, 2013. (credit:Getty Images)
Vermont(11 of14)
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Since September 1, 2009 (credit:Flickr: Tony Fischer Photography)
Washington(12 of14)
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On February 13, 2012, Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) signed a law allowing same-sex marriage ceremonies to begin on June 7, 2012. The process was delayed by gay marriage opponents who gathered enough signatures to put the issue up to a state vote in November 2012. They voted to approve it on Election Day. (credit:AP)
Washington D.C.(13 of14)
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Since March 9, 2010 (credit:Flickr: Vox Efx)
California(14 of14)
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The state initially began conducting gay marriages on June 16, 2008. On November 5, 2008, however, California voters passed Proposition 8, which amended the state's constitution to declare marriage as only between a man and a woman. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled against that law, and the state shortly thereafter began sanctioning same-sex nuptials. (credit:AP)
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