First, I'll start with my favorite quote from Robert F Kennedy:
We must recognize the full human equality of all our people - before God, before the law, and in the councils of government. We must do this not because it is economically advantageous - although it is; not because the laws of God and man command it - although they do command it; not because people in other lands wish it so. We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do.
Today is a great day for America and equal rights for all. Today, through bipartisan support (although Repubs will never mention that), the discriminating law of Don't Ask, Don't Tell has finally been repealed.
I'd like to to thank all the Democrat and Republican Senators and Representatives that voted for repeal, along with President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary Gates.
Today we join the following countries that allow gay and lesbian individuals to serve openly in the military:
Albania
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Colombia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom
Bermuda
Uruguay
Yesterday, we belonged with the following:
Antigua and Barbuda
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Botswana
Brunei
Cameroon
Cuba
Cyprus
Dominica
Egypt
Fiji
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
Iran
Kenya
Kiribati
Jamaica
Lesotho
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nigeria
North Korea
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Swaziland
Syria
Tanzania
Tonga[49]
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Tuvalu
Uganda
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe