Staff Sgt. Tracy Dice Johnson, a National Guard soldier whose wife, Staff Sgt. Donna Johnson, was killed in Afghanistan in 2012, has learned that she will receive survivor benefits from the VA, the first same-sex spouse to be afforded that privilege.
Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Has Had Zero Negative Effects on the Military

In March 2009, an open letter signed by more than 1,100 retired admirals and generals claimed that repealing America's "don't ask, don't tell" policy would "undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadershipat all levels, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lendtheir sons and daughters to…
GOP Debate Crowd Boos Gay Soldier
Republican presidential debate audiences, what with their cheering executions and telling the uninsured to just go and die already, sure are great, aren't they? At tonight's Fox News/Google debate in Florida, the crowd stuck with tradition by booing a gay soldier who'd asked about the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal.…
Jon Stewart Celebrates the End of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
Two months after its repeal was certified by President Obama, today marked the official end of the nearly 18-year-old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy precluding gays from serving openly in the military. On tonight's Daily Show, Jon Stewart celebrated the end of DADT by shaming it for existing in the first place:…
Obama Certifies End of 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'
President Obama certified the Pentagon's official notice of readiness to end the ban on gays in the military today. Members of the armed forces can start shouting about their gayness from the highest Afghani hilltops on September 20.
Court Ruling Ends Don't Ask Don't Tell 'Immediately'
The Pentagon says it will "immediately" comply with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that the military must lift its ban on openly gay service members. President Obama repealed the policy last year, though the repeal wasn't immediate. [NJ]
Soldiers Could Be Asking And Telling As Soon As This Summer
It seems as though Marine Corps Gen. James Amos (pictured, third from left), a onetime outspoken opponent of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal, has had a change of heart. Where only recently he was testifying that letting gay soldiers serve openly would have a "strong potential for disruption at the small unit level,"…
Jonah Goldberg Announces Discovery of Normal Gay People
The National Review's Jonah Goldberg thinks recent advancements in the cause of gay rights are ironic, since serving in the military and getting married are normal, whereas gays are freaky and wear ballgags all the time. Joke's on you, gays!
Last-Minute Attacks Can't Stop DADT From Becoming Law
President Obama signed the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" repeal today, without any problems. But it was close! Some Republicans tried to sneak a legislative poison pill into the mix last night, until Mitch McConnell stopped them. Is Mitch getting soft?
State Lawmaker Won't Have Gays in His National Guard
Virginia state Del. Bob Marshall is furious over the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell," and wants to block openly gay people from serving in the Virginia National Guard. He also wants to be a U.S. Senator and needs headlines.
Enjoy the Draft, You 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Haters
Conservative production company Citizens United has released this post-"Don't Ask Don't Tell" ad, warning effete liberals (and Lady Gaga) that they'll all get drafted after the current Marines quit in protest. Exactly! This was Joe Lieberman's plan all along.
Gay Soldiers Can't Tell Yet
Don't Ask Don't Tell is dead but still remains in effect. The Human Rights Campaign says it's not safe for soldiers to come out yet. If you're looking to be the last person discharged under DADT, though now's your chance.
Senate Repeals 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'
The Senate today repealed the US military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy of barring openly gay servicemembers from the armed forces by a vote of 65 to 31. President Obama only needs to sign it. [TPM]
Senate Republicans Suck
It was Sen. Bob Corker's turn to take hostages today with this latest "threat": If Democrats bring the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" repeal and DREAM Act to votes tomorrow, as expected, then Republicans may kill the START treaty. Huh?
The Last, Worst Argument Against Repealing 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'
It's sad that the debate over repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell" may be over, and we'll stop hearing comically bizarre arguments against repeal. So let's savor Rep. Louis Gohmert's theory of gays and imperial decline, while we still can.