Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

April 27, 2026 represents the 15th anniversary of the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which allows gays and lesbians to openly serve in the U.S. military branches.  In 2016 under the Obama administration, trans individuals could also openly serve.  This policy was rescinded by the Trump administration in 2019, reinstated in 2021 under the Biden administration, again rescinded in 2025 under the Trump administration which took further steps to remove trans members from active service. When “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ended in 2011, Oklahomans for Equality opened the Equality Center to military recruiters, the first in the nation in a center dedicated to the LGBTQ community.  This event received positive international news coverage. While the recent policy changes by the Department of Defense are of deep concern, we want to recognize the important work to secure full inclusion in society.  OkEq proudly sponsors the Veterans’ Wall on the second floor of the Equality Center, highlighting the contributions of many in our community who proudly served our country.