While it’s still waiting for the president’s approval, the Senate on Saturday took the step to end one of the most glaring examples of discrimination masquerading as law in our country.

Congress’ historic act will repeal the 17-year-old "don’t ask, don’t tell" requirement that has allowed gays and lesbians to serve in the military provided they keep their sexual preferences to themselves.

"As soon as President Obama signs this bill, we will have accomplished one of the greatest civil rights victories in many of our lifetimes," Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., stated in a release over the weekend. "Removing a hurdle that stands in the way of equal rights for some is an advance for the equal rights of all of us."

Truly, in terms of social implication, some have even compared ending this policy to President Harry S. Truman’s 1948 executive order that brought racial equality to the military.

Leahy was one of five northern New England senators from both parties to vote for the repeal. (The lone holdout, our neighbor to the east, Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, did not vote on the measure.) Given our area’s more liberal leanings, this is a measure that, to most of us, seems long overdue. After all, it was Vermont who, back in 2000, became the first state to legally recognize civil unions between same-sex couples (the first such union taking place here in Brattleboro). So it’s heartening to see the rest of the country beginning to catch up.

"I find it irresponsible that we deny thousands of honorable Americans the opportunity to serve our country, especially at a time when our military is stretched so thin," said Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt. "Discrimination of any kind is not what America is supposed to be about. As a nation, we owe those who desire to dedicate their lives to service an equal chance to do so."

Susan Collins, R-Maine, called the vote historic, adding that the United States now joins at least 28 allies in welcoming the service of any qualified individual who’s willing and capable of serving in the military.

If people are volunteering to potentially give their lives to protect our country, who are we to tell them who they can and cannot fall in love with? Furthermore, who are we, then, to force them to live a lie -- or at least a secret, stressful existence -- to satisfy some folks’ sense of morality?

The legislation now heads to Obama’s desk to be signed into law. However, the Pentagon still must certify to Congress that the change won’t affect combat readiness of our military (something which may perhaps drastically affect the immediacy of the law), so for now the restrictions will "remain on the books," so to speak. How those restrictions will be enforced remains a mystery.

A policy shift should be fairly easy to enact. After all, according to a Pentagon study on a potential repeal, issues of sexual conduct and fraternization can be dealt with by using existing military rules and regulations. That same study found that two-thirds of service members surveyed didn’t see a change in the law affecting how they did their jobs.

Though he argued against policy change, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos on Sunday stated that the Corps "will step out smartly to faithfully implement this new policy," adding that he would "personally lead this effort, thus ensuring the respect and dignity due all Marines."

So here’s to hoping full implementation of this law will be fast and easy. After all, we owe it to anyone who ever felt betrayed by their own country after offering so much to protect it.