It's a controversial and monumental decision. President Obama signs the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the 17-year-old policy that forbids homosexuals from serving openly in the military.

Supporters are celebrating, while opponents are disappointed.

Terri Dinsmore is the Genesee County president of PFLAG (parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). She says, "It's been a long time coming. It's a good thing that people are able to serve their country now and be open about who they are."

Dinsmore, along with President Obama, says open service is an equal rights issue.

"We are a nation that welcomes the service of every patriot," says President Obama.

Reports show around 14,000 homosexual service members have been sent home for violating the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Obama says, "No longer will tens of thousands be asked to live a lie, or look over shoulder...serve country that they love."

However, conservative organizations like the American Family Association, say the repeal will do more harm than good.

The AFA website says, "There is no question that repeal will have a harmful effect on recruitment, retention, and readiness, and will mean the end of military careers for officers and chaplains who have moral and religious objections to homosexuality."

"This is a dark day in American history," says Gary Glenn, president of the American Family Association of Michigan. He goes on to say, "You have left-wing politicians, primarily a Congress that has already been rejected by the voters in November, imposing on the finest military force in the world a radical, left-wing agenda, which hopefully at some point in the future we will be able to undo."

Supporters say, the repeal is a matter of national security for the military members fighting two wars.

"If these people that are serving in silence, if they all decided to be open, and get fired, then where's that service? They're going to be down quite a few people."

The repeal will not be immediately implemented.

Military members still need to create policies, like domestic partner benefits.

The White House says the process will take months, not years.

Homosexual supporters say more needs to be done in Michigan for equal rights, like allowing homosexual marriage and preventing bosses from firing employees because they are gay.