President Obama has signed a landmark bill today which will allow openly gay and lesbian people to serve in the US military for the first time in 17 years.

“I am proud to sign a law that brings an end to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” said Obama. “No longer will tens of thousands of men and women be asked to live a lie.”

However, gay service men and women have been warned to stay in the closet for another two months – ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ remains in effect until the Pentagon formally certifies the new policy, which will take 60 days.

More than 13,000 service personnel have been dismissed under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ since 1993.