Closing this chapter

In a landmark vote, the Senate on Saturday ended the ban on gays serving openly in the military.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton modified the previous outright ban on homosexuals, marshalling into effect the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which for 18 years allowed homosexuals to serve so long as they stayed "in the closet," not openly declaring their orientation.

More than 13,500 service members have been dismissed under the 1993 law -- for "telling," presumably.

The vote to allow gays to serve openly was 65-31, drawing support from eight Republicans, including Sen. John Ensign of Nevada.

The bill now goes to the White House for President Obama's signature. He is expected to sign the bill into law next week.

"It is time to close this chapter in our history," Mr. Obama said in a statement after a test vote cleared the way for final action. "It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed."

The push for repeal was strengthened by the release of a major Pentagon study reporting two-thirds of military personnel believe gays could serve openly without affecting combat effectiveness.

In publicizing that study, though, the Pentagon downplayed the fact that in combat units -- which form the minority of military units -- opinion went the other way: The majority of combat troops did foresee some problems.

Critics of the move point out the military is no place for experiments in social engineering or political correctness. And it's true that the men and women on the front -- in crowded barracks and tanks and submarines -- will now be expected to figure out the logistics of this momentous change.

But President Obama is correct that sexual orientation places no limits on the ability of an American to display strength, courage and character. Despite the prohibition, gays have served and fought honorably in many armies -- and have essentially been integrated in the military for decades. Irrational prejudice is a thing to be confronted and overcome.