Obama Pledges to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Obama did not give a timetable for the repeal of the law passed by Congress in 1993 and signed by President Bill Clinton. Clinton had also promised to repeal the ban on homosexuals in the military, but was faced opposition in the military and Congress, and failed to do so.

At the same time, Obama acknowledged that the policy changes promised while he was campaigning during the 2008 presidential race will come, but are not coming as quickly as they probably expected. "I appreciate that many of you don't believe progress has come fast enough," the president said. "Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach."

Besides "Don't ask, don't tell," Obama had promised to repeal the Defense of Marriage act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. Obama took harsh criticism when 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 currently in the books.

At the same time, during his speech, Barack Obama called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners. Obama was invited to the dinner by HRC, and his speech comes on the eve of the National Equality March, which is expected to draw thousands of gay and lesbian activists to the National Mall on Sunday.

Written by Michael Santo
Exclusively for HULIQ.com