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Obama to End Clinton's 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Military Policy
Posted by Manny, Kos Diarist, Daily Kos on January 14, 2009.

75% of Americans don't have a problem with gay people serving in the military, and neither does our newest US president.
According to the SF Chronicle , Obama has confirmed that it is his intention to end Don't Ask Don't Tell: http://www.sfgate.com/...
President Obama will end the 15-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy that has prevented homosexual and bisexual men and women from serving openly within the U.S. military, a spokesman for the president-elect said.
Although he hasn't set a specific timeline, it has been assumed that he would repeal it during his term as he has stated that he opposes the policy.
Many younger people who hold disdain for the policy may not realize that when DADT was put in place by Clinton in 1993, it was against the backdrop of a complete ban on gays in the military and severe opposition from congressional Democrats.
Prior to DADT, it was a requirement to answer a question concerning previous homosexual conduct as a condition of enlistment. Although not stated on the document, a positive response would mean denial in enlistment.

According to Wikipedia, DADT states:
Sexual orientation will not be a bar to service unless manifested by homosexual conduct. The military will discharge members who engage in homosexual conduct, which is defined as a homosexual act, a statement that the member is homosexual or bisexual, or a marriage or attempted marriage to someone of the same gender.

The policy, as crafted by Colin Powell, intended to create an environment whereas it was permissible to be homosexual as long as it was not practiced. The added catch for the government was that they were not permitted to ask about or inquire into a service member's sexual activity. In reality, this continues to happen on a regular basis.
It is way past time to end DADT. A 2008 ABC poll showed that 75% of Americans don't have a problem with gay people serving in the military.
The gay community has placed a lot of hope in the Democratic Party to repeal this law and allow us to serve openly in the military. It might not happen day 1, but it looks as if another bastion of antiquated homophobia will soon fall.