End It, Don't Mend It

From the Pentagon:

Based on all we saw and heard, our assessment is that, when coupled with the prompt implementation of the recommendations we offer below, the risk of repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to overall military effectiveness is low. We conclude that, while a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will likely, in the short term, bring about some limited and isolated disruption to unit cohesion and retention, we do not believe this disruption will be widespread or long-lasting, and can be adequately addressed by the recommendations we offer below. Longer term, with a continued and sustained commitment to core values of leadership, professionalism,and respect for all, we are convinced that the U.S. military can adjust and accommodate this change, just as it has others in history.

For its time, DADT was something of a step forward for gays. Halting, incomplete, and oftentimes observed in the breach — but a step forward nonetheless.

But that was more than 15 years ago, and times have changed even faster than I’d hoped. And in some small part, thanks to DADT. Now let’s follow the rest of the Pentagon’s recommendations, and move things further along in an orderly way.