Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repealed

For Obbie Rodriguez of Columbia, the end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy means he'll report for duty in March.

The Clinton-era policy, seen as progressive at the time, allowed gays to serve in the military under the condition that they kept their sexual orientation private. On Tuesday, the official end of the 1993 law, many Marylanders said it was past time for it to be relegated to the dustbin of history.

“At the beginning of last year, I was actually interested in going into the military, but knowing that I couldn’t be out, and be who I was, I decided not to,” explained Rodriguez as he exited the Mall in Columbia.

When he heard the law would be coming to an end, Rodriguez decided to re-examine his choices. He is to report to boot camp for the Marine Corps in March.

“It feels amazing that I can just go in there and be who I am," said Rodriguez. "I feel equal.” 

Catonsville resident and retired Army Sgt. Herbert Brown, 80, said he thought the repeal was “long overdue.”

“One’s sexuality was never a problem where I was concerned,” said Brown, an active service member from 1956–58. He knew gay service members and said, "My attitude has always been that what you do behind closed doors is your business.”

In the lead up to the repeal, opponents of the policy rallied for the legislation to end, calling it a civil rights issue, while those in favor of the law cited safety, security and overall logistical concerns such as privacy issues should gays be allowed to serve openly.

David Bryan, a Bowie resident, said he favored the repeal but there was no need to make a big fuss. “It’s the 21st century,” he said as he exited the Mall in Columbia. “I mean, who cares. If you can fight, I don’t care. It’s your business.”

Still others expressed concern about the repeal’s effect on safety within the military.

“Those gay military members may be putting themselves in harm’s way," said Columbia resident Luanna Thompson. "I’d be concerned if it were my son or daughter.”

Added William Sherman of Catonsville, “It’s really touchy…I think it’s great to have an open society…But as civilians, we don’t know what goes on inside with the military personnel.”

Meanwhile, Maryland state officials released statements in support of the policy change.

“The end of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is a proud moment in the history of our great nation," said Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown. "Finally, all those brave men and women who choose to serve their country can do so equally, openly and honestly.” Brown was a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and served in Iraq.

Maj. Gen. James Adkins, the provost marshal for the Maryland Army National Guard, noted that the Department of Defense has been working on implementation since December.

"Our leaders have all been briefed so I think we’re in pretty good shape," said Adkins. "We are all set to go in Maryland on this and we'll just be alert to monitor what comes up."

As part of the repeal, the military has stopped all pending investigations, discharges and administrative proceedings begun solely under "don’t ask, don't tell," while former service members discharged under the law can apply for re-entry to the armed services.