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Obama renews vow to lift ban on openly gay military personne US president reiterates campaign promise to revoke 'don't ask, don't tell' policy in address to gay rights group
Barack Obama addresses the 13th annual national dinner of the Human Right Campaign in Washington DC. Photograph: Getty Images
Barack Obama reaffirmed his campaign pledge to end the ban on homosexuals and lesbians serving openly in the military in a speech to America's largest gay group yesterday, but offered no timetable or specifics for acting on that promise.
He acknowledged to a cheering crowd that some promised policy changes are not coming as quickly as they expected.
"I will end 'don't ask, don't tell'," he said to a standing ovation from an audience of about 3,000 people at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil rights group.
The law was passed in 1993 and signed by Bill Clinton, who also promised to repeal the ban on homosexuals in the military but was blunted by opposition in the armed services as well as in Congress. Obama said he was working with Pentagon and congressional leaders on ending the policy.
"We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country," he said. "We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage ... especially when we are fighting two wars."
Obama said it was no secret "our progress may be taking longer than you'd like." He followed this by asking supporters to trust his administration's course.
"I also appreciate that many of you don't believe progress has come fast enough," he said. "Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach."
Some civil rights activists said they already have heard his promises they just want to hear a timeline. Cleve Jones, a pioneer activist and creator of the Aids Memorial Quilt, said Obama delivered a brilliant speech, but added "it lacked the answer to our most pressing question, which is when."
"He repeated his promises that he's made to us before, but he did not indicate when he would accomplish these goals and we've been waiting for a while now," said Jones, national co-chair of a major gay-rights march expected to draw thousands of homosexual and lesbian activists to Washington today.
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defence Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognise 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 homosexuals, 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," Obama said.
His message was one of unity and support for a group that has contributed large amounts of money into Democratic coffers. "I'm here with a simple message: I'm here with you in that fight," Obama said.
Obama also addressed those who do not favour advancing gay rights.
A recent Pew Research Centre poll asked about homosexual behaviour, and about half said it is morally wrong. "There's still laws to change and there's still hearts to open," Obama said
Barack Obama renews vow to lift ban on openly gay military personnel | World news | guardian.co.uk
Barack Obama addresses the 13th annual national dinner of the Human Right Campaign in Washington DC. Photograph: Getty Images
Barack Obama reaffirmed his campaign pledge to end the ban on homosexuals and lesbians serving openly in the military in a speech to America's largest gay group yesterday, but offered no timetable or specifics for acting on that promise.
He acknowledged to a cheering crowd that some promised policy changes are not coming as quickly as they expected.
"I will end 'don't ask, don't tell'," he said to a standing ovation from an audience of about 3,000 people at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil rights group.
The law was passed in 1993 and signed by Bill Clinton, who also promised to repeal the ban on homosexuals in the military but was blunted by opposition in the armed services as well as in Congress. Obama said he was working with Pentagon and congressional leaders on ending the policy.
"We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country," he said. "We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage ... especially when we are fighting two wars."
Obama said it was no secret "our progress may be taking longer than you'd like." He followed this by asking supporters to trust his administration's course.
"I also appreciate that many of you don't believe progress has come fast enough," he said. "Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach."
Some civil rights activists said they already have heard his promises they just want to hear a timeline. Cleve Jones, a pioneer activist and creator of the Aids Memorial Quilt, said Obama delivered a brilliant speech, but added "it lacked the answer to our most pressing question, which is when."
"He repeated his promises that he's made to us before, but he did not indicate when he would accomplish these goals and we've been waiting for a while now," said Jones, national co-chair of a major gay-rights march expected to draw thousands of homosexual and lesbian activists to Washington today.
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defence Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognise 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 homosexuals, 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," Obama said.
His message was one of unity and support for a group that has contributed large amounts of money into Democratic coffers. "I'm here with a simple message: I'm here with you in that fight," Obama said.
Obama also addressed those who do not favour advancing gay rights.
A recent Pew Research Centre poll asked about homosexual behaviour, and about half said it is morally wrong. "There's still laws to change and there's still hearts to open," Obama said
Barack Obama renews vow to lift ban on openly gay military personnel | World news | guardian.co.uk
