‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy Nears End

Pentagon sources say an official repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” will be announced Friday in Washington.

The policy prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the military.

“I was in the military in 1968 to (19)72 and it wasn’t a big deal back then, and all of a sudden it became a big deal,” said Steve Matthews, a Palm Springs resident. “We were pretty open.”

Four years in the U.S. Air Force landed Matthews in Del Rio, Texas, Denver and Vietnam.

He remembers serious moments in the field and parties off base.

Gay and straight, he said everyone got along.

“I think for the people now, it’s tremendous,” said Matthews. “I can’t imagine what these guys have gone through, and I’m very happy for them.”

A bill repealing the policy was passed last year, but several people, including the secretary of defense, have to sign a certification to confirm the military’s acceptance.

President Barack Obama signed the law in December and is expected to endorse the certification.

Following months of internal studies, it seems the Pentagon is confident about how troops will react to gays serving openly in the military.

“I think times are changing,” said Mary Tolbert, who is married to her spouse, Lynn Stott. “If you look at the situation for same-sex marriage, I think things are changing around the country.”

California also recently became the first state in the nation to require that schools teach gay history in their social studies curriculum.

But not all are applauding this latest decision.

“I think somehow, they should maybe split them up,” said Justin Iams, who is from LA. “I don’t think some people are comfortable with it.”

“You don’t know if you could trust them with your life or something,” said Nick Duncan. “That’s problem for a lot of people.”

After certification, there will be a 60-day waiting period before the repeal is fully implemented.