Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Former U.S. Navy Commander Zoe Dunning, left, looks on as President Obama signs the law to repeal "don't ask, don't tell' Dec. 22, 2010

The ban on gays and lesbians serving in the military will officially end on September 20, according to a statement released by the White House Friday.

In that statement, President Barack Obama said, "As of September 20th, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country. Our military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian."

President Obama, in conjunction with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, certified that the military has met the requirements for repealing the ban. Those requirements include "extensive training."

Click here to read the President's full statement.