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The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that banned LGBT people from serving openly in the US military ended on Tuesday morning. Rachel Maddow, who has been a strong advocate for the policy’s end, used her show on MSNBC to celebrate.
Maddow played clips of cheering people around the world, the video that went viral of a soldier coming out to his father, and the White House’s campaign video featuring gay service members.
"They're doing all they can to lock up the political capital that should accrue to them for having won this," Maddow noted. "Winning helps you win more."
The main focus for Maddow was individuals. "Today was about coming out," she said, adding that people can now "make their own decision about whether or not and how to say who they are. It can no longer be used against them."
She also had two guests who had appeared on her show in the past: Victor Ferenbach, who outed himself while speaking to Maddow, and Joshua Seefried, who used a pseudonym and silhouette to hid his identity last time he appeared on her show.
Watch the portion of the show dedicated to the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” below:
