Members of the United States Armed Forces will soon no longer have to hide their sexual identity. 

President Barack Obama signed a law Wednesday that will reverse the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy—in effect for 17 years.

"No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie, or look over their shoulder, in order to serve the country that they love," said Obama at the signing of the law, according to the White House.

The Obama administration and many local lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights organizations have said the legislation was a long time in coming. Others say the ban on gays serving openly in the military should be not lifted. 

"This is long overdue, and is one of the first steps to full equality and acceptance for LGBT families," said Michael Sabatino—the vice chair of theWestchester County LGBT Advisory Board, human rights commissioner for Yonkers, former communications director for the Marriage Equality New York and marriage ambassador for the Empire State Pride Agenda.

Advocates of the repeal, including the president, said that the measure would strengthen national security and offer an opportunity to bulk up military forces. More than 17,000 members of the armed forces were released from their military duties, since the "don't ask, don't tell," policy took affect in 1993—according to The New York Times.

Mary Jane Karger, co-chair of the Hudson Valley chapter of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), called the measure "a step forward in creating a more inclusive environment in the military and is welcome news for youth interested in serving in the armed forces."

Local military organizations—like the VA administration in Montrose, the American Legion in Yorktown Heights, Katonah and Mount Kisco—did not return phone calls from Patch to weigh in on the subject. The West Point Military Academy referred Patch to Department of Defense spokeswoman Maj. Monica Bland.

"It is premature to know how the changes may affect military operations," said Bland. "That is what the team led by Dr. Clifford Stanley, Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness, will be looking at carefully, methodically and purposefully."

Others say the military will be doomed for including open gays in the military, like the Westboro Baptist Church—an extremist Kansas-based group that pickets soldiers' funerals and hates gays and Jews, and called off a protest against performance of "The Laramie Project" at Nyack High School in November.

Taking an "if it ain't broke don't fix it," approach—Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said he knew the military would be capable of implementing a repeal of "don't ask, don't tell," but questioned whether it should be repealed—since it could have extreme potential consequences for the military, and the current wars.

"What I want to know, and what it is the Congress's duty to determine, is not can our armed forces implement a repeal of this law, but whether the law should be repealed," according to a Dec. 3 news release. "Unfortunately, that key issue was not the focus of this study." 

The DoD's Nov. 30 "Report of the Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" referenced what they said was among the largest surveys in the military's history. The survey interviewed 115,052 service men and women—28 percent of respondents. They also surveyed 2,691 homosexual services members, some anonymously and 296 who identified themselves as gay or lesbians.

"The results of the service member survey reveal a widespread attitude among the solid majority of service members that repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' will not have a negative impact on their ability to conduct their military mission," the report said.

The report says the "reality" is that there are already gay service members and that most service members are aware of this—92 percent of the group reported that their ability to work together as a unit with their gay or lesbian co-workers was "very good," "good," or indifferent.

"Anecdotally, we also heard a number of service members tell us about a leader, co-worker, or fellow service member they greatly liked, trusted or admired who they later learned was gay; and how once that person's sexual orientation was revealed to them, it made little or no difference to the relationship," the report says.

Service member concerns revolved around "open" service, which the report found was "driven by misperceptions and stereotypes," involving a surge of the flamboyant flaunting of one's sexuality. These accusations were not consistent with the report's findings.

Only 15 percent of gay and lesbian service members said they would reveal their sexuality to their unit. Some do not want to flaunt their sexuality, but be able to express themselves freely.

"Personally, I don't feel that this is something I should have to 'disclose,'" said a gay service person surveyed, according to the report. "Straight people don't have to disclose their orientation. I will just be me. I will bring my family, to family events. I will put family pictures on my desk. I am not going to go up to people and say, 'Hi there —I'm gay.'"

The report said they don't expect the implementation of the repeal to go completely smoothly, but it won't be a disaster.

"We conclude that, while a repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell,' will likely, in the short term, bring about some limited and isolated disruption to unit cohesion and retention, we do not believe this disruption will be widespread or long-lasting, and can be adequately addressed by the recommendations we offer below."

In the meantime, before the repeal is implemented— Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent a memo Thursday warning the military that the ban has not yet been lifted, according to CNN. The ban stays until 60 days after Obama, Gates and U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, certifies that lifting the ban will not negatively affect military operations.

"In order to prevent any confusion, I want to be perfectly clear: at this time, there are no new changes to any existing Department or service policies," said Gates' memo, according to CNN. "Service members who alter their personal conduct during this period may face adverse consequences." 

Gates said implementation is an achievable "challenge."

"Successful implementation will depend upon strong leadership, a clear message and proactive education throughout the force," he said on Dec. 18, according to the DoD's website."With a continued and sustained commitment to core values of leadership, professionalism and respect for all, I am convinced that the U.S. military can successfully accommodate and implement this change, as it has others in history."