White House: Don't Ask About "Don't Ask"

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

During the presidential campaign, then-Senator Barack Obama promised to end "Don't ask, don't tell" - the ban on gays serving openly in the U.S. military - and promised to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1996 federal law defining marriage as only between a man and a woman.

CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante reports that because the president has yet to deliver on the promises he made to the gay community, gay rights advocates are concerned, so they gathered in Washington Sunday to remind him of these campaign pledges.

Thousands of gay rights supporters marched from the White House to the nation's Capitol Sunday demanding more effort to end discrimination.

"He says all of the right things, but now it's time for him to put his money where his mouth is," said actress Cynthia Nixon.

to a dinner audience of gay civil rights advocates. "While progress may be taking longer than you like as a result of all that we face, and that's the truth, do not doubt the direction we are headed and the destination we will reach," he said.

But with health care to pass and a still-vulnerable economy, the gay community may have to wait - which some understand.

"Our community has gotten a little too tunnel-vision: 'Okay, you said you were going to do it, why haven't you done it?'" said actor and gay rights supporter Gavin Creel. "I believe in him."

Making good on his promises to the gay community won't be easy. Ending "Don't ask, don't tell" is opposed in Congress, with several members (including Republican Senator Lindsay Graham) saying the military needs to be consulted before ending the policy.

And when it comes to DOMA, the president will not only face a reluctant Congress and many religious leaders who are opposed to same-sex marriage but also states like California where same-sex marriage has been banned.

CBS News Chief Political Correspondent John Dickerson says the message from the administration is: Don't hold your breath.

"The indication from the White House is they want to show the president is still committed to this, but that it's further down on the list of priorities," Dickerson told "Early Show" anchor Harry Smith. "He's got a lot in front of him, and the big question is how much political capital he'll put behind this. Will he pressure Congress? Will he pressure the Pentagon?

"There's just no indication right now that he's going to spend his political capital in that way."

What's your opinion?

• Pop Question

Should President Obama repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays in the military?
 Yes
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[pumpkinpat-2009]

The funny thing about DADT is that the majority of people DO Not need to Ask, they already know. Example, first sight of Kagan, Said to myself she is a lesbian. pretty sure I am right about that. Yup I don't need to ask her cause I can already tell. Most people can by the way. OMG is that Profiling cause if it is then I would will bet everyone does it.... really everyone does.... they just are not honest enough to admit it.

[proudmilvet]

Gays are not forcing their agenda upon anyone. If a Gay person knows that you are NOT Gay, they will not be the least bit interested in you. You probably have a heck of a lot more Heterosexual men trying to force themselves upon Heterosexual women! That's why we have laws against Sexual harrassment in the workplace.

[jefleshman]

Again well said!

Thank you proudmilvet!

I believe you have left the pointless comments to be silenced!

[Upfromslavry]

I don't believe gays or anyone else should be mistreated. Everyone has the right of choice. I do however have a problem when people make personal choices and then try to force their agenda on all of us. It is not enough to simply accept their decision they want to force their ideals upon a whole nation. Let me make my choices and my family make their own without you interfering. You want to exert your right to free speech, but you want to shut my mouth or the mouth of anyone who does not agree with your agenda. This includes people of faith who believe what the Bible says about human sexuality. If I choose to believe in the Bible and its tenets and you choose to disagree. I won't bother you and you shouldn't bother me. I do not think that any of us should try to force our beliefs or personal agendas upon another. We all have the freedom of choice and a free will which God gave us.

[proudmilvet]

I served in the Military for 20 years. 10 years active duty Navy, & 10 years Army Reserve. I retired as an Army Captain in 2002. I am also 100% Heterosexual. Throughout my 20 year career i knew more then several Gay Military friends & co-workers. They knew i was not Homosexual, therefore they did not bother me. They also knew i was a fair & decent person who was not going to harrass them or Rat them out. As a matter of fact, they we're among the smartest, most decent, Kindest & Hardest working people i have ever been associated with. I am still Proud to call them my fellow Veterans! We need to stop the Hate & Discrimination! In my civilian job as an R.N., I have worked in several hospitals & i have many Gay friends & co-workers. If it is against the law to discriminate against Gays & Lesbians in civilian life & the workplace, it should be the same in the Military. Try to get past your predjudice folks! Give people a chance & they may just suprise you!

[jefleshman]

Very well said and articulated! Bravo! You do not stand alone! Bravo!

[sternbergmartina]

I too am retired military and heterosexual and totally agree with you. I have served with gay and lesbian comrades for many years and they, like heterosexuals served with honor and pride. I think if the homophobic military and government people REALLY knew how many people in the military are gay they might be shocked to find out their commanders, troops, neighbors, guys and gals on their sports teams, church groups, best friends etc are gay. We military people are the best and the brightest in the world, we are very good at adapting and we CAN and WILL adapt to the end of the DADT policy with no problems. We did it before when the military was desegregated before the rest of America and we will do it again when the DADT policy is ended.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

by Constitionalist October 12, 2009 4:16 PM EDT
Funny how people talk about equal rights for ALL, but they forget about the rights of other soldiers to have a workplace free of sexual harrassment.
=============================================================
There are laws and rugulations against sexual harassment. What make's you think they would change to the detriment of heterosexuals?

Your argument holds no water.

[Constitionalist]

Funny how people talk about equal rights for ALL, but they forget about the rights of other soldiers to have a workplace free of sexual harrassment. Imagine if the showers and bunks were co-ed. Now stop snickering. How much harrassment would occur? I know most of us guys wouldn't care, but for you women imagine 30 or so guys eyeing you up. That is what the ban is about. We do not believe that gay individuals are inadequate warriors. We just want the basic right that everyone else has, protections from sexual harrassment. So now we will have to segregate mens barracks, gay men's barracks, women's barracks, and gay women's barracks just to avoid harrassment suits. But of course segregation is wrong, isn't it? Are you starting to see the problems here? It is not just about a group of people's right to serve. It is about a larger group of people's right to serve without being harrassed or feeling that they are. It is about unit morale. It is about keeping the fighting force strong.

[Questionews]

The Gay Men's shower? How would that be an environment where people wouldn't be sexually harassed? The only way that would work is one gay man at a time showered with all women. There would be alot of straight men lying about their orientation to get in on that!

[sternbergmartina]

Constitionalist. I don't know if you are military or not - I AM - 20 years in the military and I am heterosexual. Funny thing is we ALREADY have been, are and will continue to serve with gay and lesbians. We ALREADY shower, live with and work with gay and lesbian people. I have been sexually harassed by males for 20 years in the military - are you serious that there is no sexual harassment in the military? Your argument about segregating showers holds no "water." This is the same tired excuse people used to try and keep the military segregated between African Americans and Caucasions. We can and WILL adapt - we are the best military and our lives are all about adapting! 23 ohter countries already allow gay and lesbians to serve with NO morale issues. We are a strong fighting force WITH the gay and lesbian military men and women who serve now.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

by philt930 October 12, 2009 2:54 PM EDT
I truly love "ARMYOFONE". My kind of woman,
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Army is male. Either you're expressing some latency or you can't even tell the difference. We'll consider you 'out' from now on.

[jefleshman]

Ummmm Being Gay or Homosexual is not against the law and not a crime. So I just want to know one thing. Can you do your job? Sounds good to me. I do not care what sex you are or the color of your skin. I also do not care what your sexual preference is!

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

by armyoftwelve October 12, 2009 1:00 PM EDT
Why stop with polygamy?? Why not allow bestiality and marriage between adults and under-age children?

Wow, aren't you enlightened....NOT!
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Your words, not mine.

[Questionews]

And don't forget the Transsexuals that want to serve. The military should also provide accommodations for all those patriotic men in drag. The make-up standards would have to be upgraded. They only have that night-time look and that's a bit slapdash.
They're missing a huge opportunity, because one of the main elements
of attack is the element of surprise. So what could be more surprising than the 1st Battalion Transvestite Brigade?
An airborne wing parachuting into dangerous areas with fantastic make-up, fantastic dresses and a fantastic gun.