Top US officials hailed a Senate vote Saturday that will for the first time allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military but said it would take time to implement the bill.

President Barack Obama lauded as an “historic step” the Senate’s repeal of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy – which forced gay troops to keep their sexual orientation secret – and was expected to sign it into law next week.

But it will only take effect once Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen – all of whom supported the bill – certify that the new regulations will not undermine the military.

Full Story from the Inquirer

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This afternoon, after the earlier 63-33 vote to invoke cloture on the stand-alone Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal bill, the Senate voted 65-31 to finalize the repeal bill and send it to President Obama’s desk.

According to Towleroad.com, while the end of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell will then be in sight, there are still a couple hurdles:

“But even after President Obama signs repeal into law, DADT will still be with us. As you recall, the repeal bill makes an end to DADT contingent upon certification from Secrertary Gates and others before the policy will actually die away. This is to allow the military sufficient time for implementation.”

Coincidentally, we were just watching the end of season three of Queer as Folk, and something Deb said sent shivers up our spines:

“Mourn the losses, for they are many.  But celebrate the wins, because they are few.”

Today is a day for celebration.