President Barack Obama approved the measure that would end the ban on gays from serving openly in the military. The president said that the policy change will be in effect in September and the armed forces can no longer discriminate against gay Americans. Obama Ban on Gays

The signing of the certification followed the decision by the new United States Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to end the policy that started during the administration of former Democratic President Bill Clinton.

The final step of the presidential certification was set two weeks ago when the military chefs gave their opinions that ending the ban would not have any effects on the readiness of U. S. military forces. The president said that ending the ban was one of his key goals. He signed it into law last December after the U. S. Congress approved the bill.

Obama said that the ban weakened the readiness of the military forces and violated the American principles of equality and fairness. He added that the military will no longer be deprived of skills and talents of patriotic Americans just because of their gender.

Though President Obama has formally communicated the end of the ban to Congress, there would still be a 60 day waiting period before it ends. That means the ban will end on September 20.