美国总统奥巴马把允许同性恋者公开服役的法案签署成法律,称这个法案是一个具有历史意义的里程碑。
奥巴马星期三在华盛顿的签字仪式上表示,废止“不问,不说”的政策将加强国家安全,并维护美国男女士兵不惜以生命来捍卫的理念。
他说,世世代代以来,美国的同性恋军人同其他人一样努力战斗,也象其他人一样作出奉献,保卫国家。
美国国会上个星期批准了这个法案。
美军领导人说,新的政策将逐步实施,以便重新评估和修改现有的法规。
根据“不问,不说”政策,美国军人被迫对自己的性取向保密,否则将被开除军籍。
U.S. President Barack Obama has signed into law legislation that will allow openly homosexual people to serve in the military, calling the measure a historic milestone.
At the signing ceremony in Washington Wednesday, Mr. Obama said the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will strengthen national security and uphold the ideals that men and women in uniform risk their lives to defend.
He said gay Americans have fought just as hard over many generations and gave just as much to protect the nation.
Congress approved the bill last week.
Military leaders say the new policy will be implemented gradually, so current regulations can be reviewed and revised.
Under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, members of the military were compelled to keep their sexual orientation secret or face dismissal.