Obama: I'll End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

President Acknowledges Changes He Promised on Campaign Trail Aren't Coming as Quickly as Expected

(AP)  President Barack Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech Saturday, but acknowledged to a cheering crowd that the policy changes he promised on the campaign trail are not coming as quickly as they expected.

"I will end 'don't ask-don't tell,"' Mr. Obama said at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil rights advocacy group. Mr. Obama reaffirmed his commitment to end the ban, but did not give a timetable or the specifics that some activists have called for.

The law was passed by Congress in 1993 and signed by President Bill Clinton, who also promised to repeal the ban on homosexuals in the military but was blunted by opposition in the military and Congress.

"We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country," Mr. Obama said. "We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage ... especially when we are fighting two wars.

"I appreciate that many of you don't believe progress has come fast enough," Mr. Obama said. "Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach."

Mr. Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. He also called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners.

He expressed strong support for the Human Rights Campaign agenda - ending discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people - but stopped short of laying out a detailed plan for how to get there.

"My expectation is that when you look back on these years you will look back and see a time when we put a stop against discrimination ... whether in the office or the battlefield," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama's political energies are focused on managing two wars, the economic crisis and his attempt to reform the health care system.

His message Saturday was one of unity and support for a group that has funneled large amounts of money into Democratic coffers.

"I'm here with a simple message: I'm here with you in that fight," Mr. Obama said.

Since Mr. Obama took office in January, some advocates have complained that Mr. Obama has not followed through on promises on issues they hold dear and has not championed their causes from the White House, including ending the ban on gays serving openly in the military and pushing tough nondiscrimination policies.

Richard Socarides, who advised President Bill Clinton's administration on gay and lesbian policy, said Obama delivered "a strong speech in tone, although only vaguely reassuring in content."

"The president and Nobel winner came and paid his respects, but tomorrow many will ask: What's his plan, what's his timetable?"

In the past, Mr. Obama has urged the gay-rights community to trust him. In June, he pointed to some initial efforts, such as a presidential memorandum he issued that expands some federal benefits to same-sex partners.

Mr. Obama publicly has previously committed himself to repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they don't disclose their sexual orientation or act on it. But Obama hasn't taken any concrete steps urging Congress to rescind the policy, and his national security adviser last weekend would only say that Obama will focus on overturning it "at the right time."

Mr. Obama also pledged during the campaign to work for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. But lawyers in his administration defended the law in a court brief. White House aides said they were only doing their jobs to back a law that was already on the books.

The gay community is somewhat split as to whether Mr. Obama should be expected to produce results right away.

The Human Rights Campaign, which invited Mr. Obama to speak at its dinner Saturday night, said it remains hopeful of seeing more action.

"He's obviously the most supportive president and has done more than any president" on behalf of the gay community, said Joe Solmonese, the group's president. He said the Obama administration has been working with the group on a range of issues "on an almost weekly and sometimes daily basis."

Rep. Barney Frank, an openly gay member of Congress, notes there has been some progress such as new hate-crimes legislation, which would make it a federal crime to assault people because of their sexual orientation. Approved by the House this week, Obama predicted it would pass the Senate and promised to sign it into law. Frank, D-Mass., also said the gay rights community understands "there is a legislative process" and progress can't happen overnight.

[lees2002]

I'm gay and many of my gay friends do not think that Don't Ask Don't Tell is unfair.
"Serving openly" is a term that has NO meaning. The military per DADT does NOT ask your SEXUALITY. Period.
The ENTIRE military live by a code which PREVENTS them all for EXPRESSING their sexual desires while on job. Just like any friggin job in America.
What does serviing openly mean? Special uniforms? Gay pride parades in the base? Wear makeup? Transgendered males in with the women?What?!!
Gays in the military already do what they want in their private relationships. They are not asked or questioned about it. Only ON THE JOB inappropriate behaviour is grounds for reprimand and that applies to EVERYONE.
These 'activists' do not speak for me nor a large portion of the gay community.

[uradufuss]

I am not anti-gay, but I am anti-openly-gay in some situations. This rule is in place, partly, to protect gays in the service. Lifting this rule will likely cause more problems than it will solve. You should be free to do what you wish, until it becomes a mechanism where we are TEACHING our yongsters to BE gay, rather than tolerating those that are simply that way by nature. That is what is happening I'm afraid. We should be leading by example, not misleading by example.

[drizzle_glee]

"This rule is in place, partly, to protect gays in the service."

Yeah, racists said the same thing about segregating blacks away from whites in the military in the 50's.

By the way, nimrod - you can't teach someone to be gay - just like MY straight parents couldn't teach ME to be straight.

"We should be leading by example." Actually, we should be FOLLOWING the example of all of the other countries that allow openly gay people to be in the military.

GUESS WHAT? Not one problem in any of those countries that couldn't be handled with the SAME EXACT RULES THEY HAVE IN PLACE FOR STRAIGHT PEOPLE.

When will you idiots ever come to realize that the only thing that seperates YOU from US is YOUR HATE and IGNORANCE.

[sam-kiley]

bonjour
dans quel monde nous vivons, vers ou allons nous..je ne juge personne ..mais je dis quand meme c'est malheureux..au revoir

[nokia3210c]

wow..!
let me ask this, what is the percentage of gays in the american society. all?, 1:1? 1:2?, 2:1? 1:3?,3:1? that it alarmed the executive to issue a "dont ask, dont tell" statement?
oh my god!!!
you people of america........

[AOCGUY]

The percentage of the American populace that are gay has nothing to do with anything. All Americans have rights and when we deny an American the opportuinty to serve over something that has nothing to do with their job it is flat wrong. It also denies the military from recruiting and holding the best and brightest.

[mecanik-2009]

"you will look back and see a time when we put a stop against discrimination ... whether in the office or the battlefield," Mr. Obama said."

I get the impression they think the battlefield is a 9 to 5 job and your actually expecting to come back alive and have dinner and go out the next day and do it again. I've got news for you. YOUR GETTING YOUR ASS SHOT OFF OUT THERE! There's no time for discrimination.

[robo1415]

Gays can serve in the military,HOWEVER they can NOT stay in the same barracks,nor can they be in any area where they endanger the mission of the military.It is the same with women.When are we going to get it through our thick skulls that the military mission to protect this country comes FIRST,before some stupid political correctness?I would NEVER advise someone to join the military if this kid of nonsense does not stop!

[jacktar1961]

I wonder how many marchers have ANY intention of joining the armed services? As usual, few of the so called experts have any experience actually serving in the military.

[Lawyers-Guns-n-Money-01]

by cjSteph October 12, 2009 5:47 PM EDT
This country is FREE. You cannot make the world agree with you. The majority disagrees with you. The majority rules in a democracy. You cannot overpower our freedom with parades and weirdness. Let the American people vote.
====================================================

Like for salvery! (Who cares about rights?)

[cjSteph]

This country is FREE. You cannot make the world agree with you. The majority disagrees with you. The majority rules in a democracy. You cannot overpower our freedom with parades and weirdness. Let the American people vote. If you are proud to be what you are, live along side all the world and be productive and not selfish. Live your life to the fullest and someone will notice. Just because someone says I am old-fashioned doesn't mean that they are right. Just because someone says that things have changed doesn't mean they have really changed.

[mystaphy]

Ok news flash... gays are already in the military and those of us who work with them already know who they are and were ok with it. I've also known people kicked out of the military because of their sexuality and most of them want to stay in its not a way out of deployment

[rickwar]

I'm not gay (there, that's out of the way) And old generation white at 61 years of age.

There is no reason in the service or business or life in general that anyone should be stopped from doing what they would like regardless of race, color, creed or sexual preference. All should have equal rights under law.

The true abomination? Those that profess to to be Christians from the far right, yet know little of true Christian values, or those due to their own fears (yes it's fears) that bring their predjudice to the forefront. One may ask what are they afraid of? That gays of either sex will arrive at their front door and steal their husband, wife or children and "convert" them to the gay lifestyle?

The military always likes to use the "difficult to maintain morale, get recruits, distractions, and maintain order within the ranks." excuse, yes, that's what it is, an excuse. I served in Vietnam and there were more gays that had been drafted, than enlist now, the majority were good fighters and general service professionals. I owe my life to one, we were friends.

It's time (while difficult) that all predudices be worked though, it's time we all grew up, not just in America, but around the world. People are people, they all deserve respect.

[michaelm07]

Interesting how Obama makes this claim at a time when the gay community is marching on Washington. I don't care which side you are on but any monkey can see he is only pandering when he must to whom ever he feels the need to - on any particular day. He is feckless and cannot even be called a "leader". He has his own agenda and will say and do anything to do what "he" wants. That should bother you if you are the left, right or middle. I suppose he'll say he'll need a 2nd term to do what he says the Rupublican (small minority) Congress prevent him from doing.
Bush was a loser and so is Obama. Little difference between the two. The only answer regardless of which party you support, vote them ALL out next election. Are you folks on the left satisfied with any of your folks i.e. Pelosi, Frank, etc.? They are letting you down as well as the Republicans are letting the right down. They are all worthless and don't care what you think. They all need to be shown the door. Don't worry about them, they have pensions so big they will be fine. If there is one you like, vote them back in the next time but teach them ALL a lesson next election cycle.

[jacktar1961]

It's best to remember that Obama's words have an expiration date... more often than not, they become irrelevant as soon as he departs the podium.

[dkhorse11]

This issue does not have the complexity of health care. You are either for it or against it! It can be decide in a day, YES IT CAN! Only politicians who don't know if they will be reelected based on how they vote on the matter claim they need time to consider it.

And Obama telling the press he?s against these issues is convenient when he buts NO muscle behind getting these laws rescinded.


Obama: "I'm against these unjust laws, but hey, it's up to Congress to repeal those laws. It's out of my hands!"

Read between the political lines. And definitely get a political wind weather report!

[dkhorse11]

This issue does not have the complexity of the health care. You are either for it or against it! It can be decide in a day, YES IT CAN! Only politicians who don't know if they will be reelected based on how they vote on the matter claim they need time to consider it.

And Obama telling the press he?s against these issues is convenient when he buts NO muscle behind getting these laws rescinded.

Obama: "I'm against these unjust laws, but hey, it's up to Congress to repeal those laws. It's out of my hands!"

Read between the political lines. And definitely get a political wind weather report!

[buzzboy12]

mr. prez i think what your doing is a good thing.

[winstrv]

Another promise and they ate it up. How stupid are people? Has he kept any promises he made thus far? When you repeal the "don't ask, Don't tell" policy and you can't fill the ranks, make sure the draft affects only the gays. You should also let out those who don't want to stay in the military with gays no matter how long they have left on their contracts.

[hungry1968-16]

by dicere October 11, 2009 8:15 PM EDT
I was in the military for 4 years. I do not think it is a very good idea. A Gay fighting the taliban, what if he was caught? His fate would be grim. Do you know what they do to gays in Arab countries?







How would the Taliban or Al Qaeda know that he was gay? Do you think they have a sandwich board proclaiming it, when they set off for battle?

You're out there dude, and you have little to no clue.....

[hungry1968-16]

by fervan-2009 October 11, 2009 6:16 PM EDT
Obama has no morals. Homosexual sex is a SIN, like it or not. Another immoral act is, he signs an agreement, "behind closed doors", for us to pay to kill babies overseas and now this. This radical is not what a president should be.






Since when do YOU get to decide what is and what isn't a sin?

[cy4466]

Our current leaders:

-Print money in the morning

-Stuff suitcases before lunch

-Buy gold in the afternoon

-Fill safes with gold in the evening

[dkhorse11]

Obama will not end DADT, he will leave that to Congress (which technically it's their responsibility), but that lets him off the hook since they will bicker and argue and in the end fail to end DADT or DOMA. He can claim he tried but Congress did not allow it (a Democrat controlled Congress, go figure).

I admire Republicans in that at least you know where you stand with them, Dems, they promise to help everyone then start rolling out the excuses when they let you down?as usual! I used to be a Dem (I'm Independent now, Dems nauseate me as much as Repubs) because I got tired of Democrats promising the world and delivering not a damn thing! Dems are as spineless today as they have always been. Democrats are great on speeches, see Obama speeches, etc; except John Kerry, horrible! powerless on follow-through (politically spineless or lobby corrupt, my money is on both).