The US Senate on Saturday backed President Barack Obama's drive to let gays serve openly in the military for the first time in history and was set to give final congressional approval to the policy. Lawmakers voted 63-33 to end debate on a bill to repeal the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" compromise of 1993 that requires gay troops to keep quiet about their sexual orientation or face dismissal, setting up final passage hours later.
"It is time to recognise that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed," Obama said in a statement urging the senate to complete its work.