Video: 'Obama Signs 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal'

(Wednesday, December 22, 2010; Obama began speaking at 9:10 a.m., signed the legislation just before the ceremony concluded at 9:35 a.m. EST) — The military’s longstanding ban on service by gays and lesbians came to a historic and symbolic end on today as President Obama signed legislation repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the contentious 17-year old Clinton-era law that sought to allow gays to serve under the terms of an uneasy compromise that required them to keep their sexuality a secret.

Video: 'President Obama Signs Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

“No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie or look over their shoulder,” Obama said during a signing ceremony in a packed auditorium at the Interior Department in Washington, D.C.

Quoting the chairman of his joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, Obama went on, “Our people sacrifice a lot for their country, including their lives. None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well.”