Last night, we got one step closer to the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

The House voted Thursday to let the Defense Department repeal the ban on gay and bisexual people from serving openly in the military, a major step toward dismantling the 1993 law widely known as “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

The provision would allow military commanders to repeal the ban. The repeal would permit gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military for the first time.

It was adopted as an amendment to the annual Pentagon policy bill, which the House is expected to vote on Friday. The repeal would be allowed 60 days after a Pentagon report is completed on the ramifications of allowing openly gay service members, and military leaders certify that it would not be disruptive. The report is due by Dec. 1.

The Senate Armed Services Committee also adopted repeal yesterday by a 16-12 vote.

Both chambers still have to clear the full Defense authorization bill that now includes the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal. And, even if passed, how Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed will depend on the results of a Pentagon study due in December.

Still, yesterday’s votes were a long-awaited and critical step in the right direction.

People For’s statement on yesterday’s votes is here.