President Barack Obama has certified the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, White House officials said Friday.

With Friday’s signature, gay men and women will now be able to serve openly in the U.S. military beginning in late September.

“As Commander in Chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness,” the president said in a release to media. “I want to thank all our men and women in uniform, including those who are gay or lesbian, for their professionalism and patriotism during this transition.”

-Staff Reports