“Homosexuality is wrong, it is evil, and it is to be branded as such,” read a top-secret Navy Report from 1957. The Defense Department went further, suggesting inclusion of homosexual soldiers would be detrimental to “discipline, good order, and morale” (exactly how was unspecified). Starting in the 1980 and through the 1990s, gay and lesbian servicemember organizations fought back, forcing recognition, albeit reluctant, from the Pentagon. That culminated in a compromise spearheaded by President Bill Clinton, known as “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”.

On this day, September 20, in 2011, in a fulfillment of a campaign promise Barack Obama ended the 17 year DADT rule.

Under DADT, servicemembers were forbidden from revealing their homosexuality to their peers or engaging in any from a specified list of behaviors. Violation of these was grounds for a dishonorable discharge — this was the “don’t tell” part. For their part, the officers and administration officials of the armed forces would not pursue or investigate any soldiers for homosexuality — this was the “don’t ask.”