DADT is DEAD!

The Senate voted today by a vote of 65-31 to end the awful policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, thereby assuring that gays and lesbians can serve openly in the military.

Granted, President Obama and Secretary of War Gates needs to sign the bill and it will go into effect after 60 days, so this is by no means the end.

The religious right will try to fuel a backlash (and I am waiting for that with my literary Louisville slugger), and there will be some bumps on the road as those who still have a problem with gays and lesbians serving openly in the military will have to deal with the change.

So while we all dance in the streets tonight, let's be mindful of the work that begins tomorrow in order to ensure our hard earned rights.  And let's not forget to thank all of those who worked their asses off to get us to this point.

But at the same time, let's not forget the importance of what just took place. This day should teach the lgbt community to never be discouraged and never to deter from the path of legitimacy.

Today is a huge victory for not only the lgbt community, not only America, but for the spirit of hope, change, and the belief that regardless of how things look, goodness and truth will always win in the end.