A Change Is Gonna Come: Repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Our nation will take a step to remove institutionalized discrimination from its military today. The Senate is set to vote at 12:00 PM PST to repeal DADT. After that, the ball will be in the Pentagon's and the Administration's court to complete the repeal process. I don't think you will, but I feel compelled to say, "Don't fail us on this, Mr. President."

I have to take a minute to extend my sincere thanks to the Republican Senators who crossed party lines to make what is a courageous vote for them. It is the right vote, the moral vote, the ethical vote, but I still understand that it is also a brave vote considering your party and your constituents. Thank you for being part of this civil rights movement:

Lisa Murkowski
Scott Brown
Olympia Snowe
Susan Collins
George Voinovich
Mark Kirk
John Ensign
Richard Burr

A change is going to come, my friends. It's inevitable. The ongoing movement to extend civil rights to all our citizens does not flow backward. Oh no, it has a forward momentum. And it's gaining speed. Even though I rail against the slow pace of gay liberation and rant about those who would deny me and my fellow queer brothers and sisters the same rights they have, I'm happy to be living in exciting times of change.

Not all that long ago, I think it would have been inconceivable to have an out and proud and wildly outrageous person like Adam Lambert appear on television, touring the country and world, and garnering support and admiration from all ages and creeds. Yet, here we are. And I think he definitely chose the right song to sing DADT off the stage. Kudos, Adam.

Goodbye, DADT. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.