Feds: Military gay ban lift has gone well

They are images Americans had never seen before. Jubilant men and women in military uniforms marching under a rainbow flag in a gay pride parade. Soldiers and sailors returning from deployment and, in time-honored tradition, embracing their beloved -- only this time with same-sex kisses.

It's been a year since the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was repealed, enabling gay and lesbian members of the military to serve openly, no longer forced to lie and keep their personal lives under wraps.

The Pentagon says repeal has gone smoothly, with no adverse effect on morale, recruitment or readiness. President Barack Obama cites it as a signature achievement of his first term, and Republican challenger Mitt Romney says he would not push to reverse the change, if he succeeds Obama.

Some critics persist, complaining that repeal has infringed on service members whose faiths condemn homosexuality. Instances of anti-gay harassment have not ended. And activists are frustrated that gay and lesbian military families don't yet enjoy the benefits and services extended to other military families.

Yet the clear consensus is that repeal has produced far more joy and relief than dismay and indignation. There's vivid evidence in photographs that have rocketed across cyberspace, such as the military contingent marching in San Diego's gay pride parade and Marine Sgt. Brandon Morgan leaping into the arms of his boyfriend after returning from six months in Afghanistan.

Tens of thousands of people clicked the "like" button for that photo on Facebook, and Morgan acknowledged it was "a great moment in history." "But when it comes down to it, we didn't intend for this go to worldwide," he said. "We were just happy to be together."

There have been many such milestones since repeal took effect on Sept. 20, 2011:

In December, a lesbian sailor won the right to the coveted "first kiss" when the USS Oak Hill returned to port in Virginia after 80 days at sea. The crowd welcoming the ship screamed in delight and waved flags as Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta kissed her partner, Citlalic Snell, a moment captured in a YouTube clip that drew 1.5 million viewers.

In June, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Erwynn Umali and his civilian partner were united in a civil union ceremony at the chapel at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, with a Navy chaplain presiding.

In August, longtime Army officer Tammy Smith became the military's first openly gay general. Her wife, Tracey Hepner, did the honors of pinning on the general's star during the promotion ceremony.

Air Force Maj. Adrianna Vorderbruggen and her civilian wife, Heather Lamb, are raising a 17-month-old son. Lamb said she'd attended a squadron family and spouse support event, and was recognized by the commander during Vorderbruggen's promotion ceremony. "None of it could have happened before repeal," Lamb said.