"These new regulations are a positive step toward repeal of the discriminatory 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law this year," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Congress must continue to move forward with legislative action to repeal the law this year while the Pentagon continues its work to determine how to best implement that repeal. Two branches of government can and should work concurrently toward repeal. There is no reason for Congress to wait for the details on implementation when Secretary Gates and the President have made it clear that this law should be repealed."

The release continues that " [ t ] he new regulations will raise the level of the commander authorized to initiate a discharge investigation; revise the threshold for credible information and third-party allegations and protect disclosure to medical and psychological personnel and for other non-military purposes."

"Our community is doing the hard work of lobbying members of Congress and making sure the grassroots pressure is on for repeal," continued Solmonese. "With health insurance reform passed and a successful conclusion reached, now is the time for more visible and aggressive leadership from the White House to push for a vote this year."

Rep. Patrick J. Murphy, D-Penn., is the lead sponsor of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act ( H.R. 1283 ) , the House bill to repeal DADT. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., is the lead sponsor of similar legislation in the Senate ( S. 3065 ) , which has also received support from Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Roland Burris. More than 13,500 Americans have been discharged under the law, including more than 800 specialists with vital skills like Arabic linguists.