Obama Promises to Keep Working Until ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Signed Into Law
EmailFrom Sunlen Miller:
Celebrating LGBT pride month at the White House this evening, President Obama declared that the nation has never been closer to ending the “discriminatory policy” of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and promised to keep working until the bill is signed into law.
“We have never been closer to ending this discriminatory policy. And I’m going to keep on fighting until that bill is on my desk and I can sign it,” Obama said in the East Room this evening. “That is a promise I made as a candidate. It is a promise that I reiterated as president. It’s one that this administration is going to keep.”
In remarks coming at a time when many in the LGBT community have been frustrated by the slow pace of reform, the president said the “only way to lock this in” is by getting the needed votes in Congress is to work with the Pentagon.
“This repeal is authored so that the Pentagon can complete its review of the policy — which is critical, by the way, not only to passage, but it’s also critical to making sure that the change is accepted and implemented effectively," he said. "In the Senate, the Armed Services Committee has approved repeal for the first time, and the full body is poised to vote soon. “
The president ticked though accomplishments he’s made that have benefited the LGBT community, including the announcement by the Labor Department today.
“The Department of Labor made clear that under the Family and Medical Leave Act, same-sex couples — as well as others raising children — are to be treated like the caretakers that they are.”
Mr. Obama noted that he pledged that he would not push aside matters of basic inequality when he took the presidency, and said that while there have been some progress there’s still more work left undone.
“We’ve got a lot of hard work that we still have to do, but we can already point to extraordinary progress that we’ve made over the past year on behalf of Americans who are gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender,” he said.
Singling out some of the “openly gay” members of Congress in the room — Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, the president joked that they are also “openly terrific.”
The audience of 300 included LGBT state and local leaders and other LGBT community members, including LGBT families, local social service organization leaders from across the country and youth. Country singer Chely Wright, who recently announced that she is a lesbian, and Mississippi high school student Constance McMillen, who was denied bringing her girlfriend to prom earlier this year, were also in attendance.
“The fact that we’ve got activists here is important because it’s a reminder that change never comes — or at least never begins in Washington. It begins with acts of compassion — and sometimes defiance — across America,” Obama said to the crowd.
– Sunlen Miller
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If Obama wants to prove what a “fierce advocate” he is for the gay community he can support gay marriage.
He totally gets a pass from Hollywood and the LGTB community on that issue.
Obama is so cool and hip but he is against gay marriage? Even Cheney is for it.
Fierce advocate my foot.
Posted by: justin | June 22, 2010, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm
Mr. Obama vows to keep working until the leak is stopped…
Mr. Obama vows to keep working until the war in Afghanistan is won…
Mr. Obama vows to keep working until the unemployment problem is fixed…
Mr. Obama vows to keep working until there is heath care for all…
Mr. Obama vows to keep working unitl the debt issue is solved…
Mr. Obama vows to keep working until… until… until…
Posted by: Quo Warranto? | June 22, 2010, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm
Mr. Obama vows to keep working until
Quo Warranto? | Jun 22, 2010 9:43:59 PM
That list really illustrates the scope of the problems the Obama administration is finally pushing America to tackle. I doubt he gets through all of them though (if he does, he will have actually exceeded all the sarcastic false-praise the Right likes to fling at him).
Posted by: jhw539 | June 22, 2010, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm
Words, just words! A year and a half later still have don’t ask don’t tell, Gitmo, rendition, and secrecy. Just words!!!
Posted by: Mario | June 22, 2010, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
How about celebrating “Pride in the USA” month…not with these Marxist jackboots….oh by the way…DADT was passed by a democratic Congress and signed by a democratic president(Clinton) so if it is discriminatory then the party of treason passed it
Posted by: warlord | June 22, 2010, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
Sounds like he has his priorities straight. /sarcoff
Posted by: Woody | June 22, 2010, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
“jhw539″ when will he do all that, between the golfgames ,playing basketball, 3 day weekends, date nights, rock and roll nights a the WH or the pleasure trips on Airforce one???????????
Posted by: Lizzie | June 23, 2010, 10:07 am 10:07 am
For those of you claiming homosexuality is a “lifestyle”, that is a false and ignorant statement. Homosexuality is not a choice. Just like you don’t choose the color of your skin, you cannot choose whom you are sexually attracted to. If you can, sorry, but you are not heterosexual, you are bi-sexual. Virtually all major psychological and medical experts agree that sexual orientation is NOT a choice. Most gay people will tell you its not a choice. Common sense will tell you its not a choice. While science is relatively new to studying homosexuality, studies tend to indicate that its biological.
There is overwhelming scientific evidence that homosexuality is not a choice. Sexual orientation is generally a biological trait that is determined pre-natally, although there is no one certain thing that explains all of the cases. “Nurture” may have some effect, but for the most part it is biological.
Posted by: shadow_man | June 23, 2010, 11:02 am 11:02 am
The National Library of Medicine pubs confirm that sexual orientation is natural, biologically induced in the first trimester of pregnancy, morally neutral, immutable, neither contagious nor learned, bearing no relation to an individuals ability to form deep and lasting relationships, to parent children, to work or to contribute to society.
From the American Psychological Association: homosexuality is normal; homosexual relationships are normal.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Asociation and American Psychiatric Asociation have endorsed civil marriage for same-sex couples because marriage strengthens mental and physical health and longevity of couples, and provides greater legal and financial security for children, parents and seniors.
America’s premier child/mental health associations endorse marriage equality.
Posted by: shadow_man | June 23, 2010, 11:03 am 11:03 am
This was taken from another poster that shows why we need to legalize gay marriage. If you don’t feel for this person after reading it, you simply aren’t human.
“I am not sure what our President thinks of this dicission but coming from a poor family and knowing what discrimination is all about I would assume he would not care if “Gays” have equal rights. The whole reason why they are asking for rights to be considered married is from the same reason why I would be for it. My own life partner commited suicide in our home with a gun to his heart. After a 28 year union I was deprived to even go his funeral. We had two plots next to each other. But because we did not have a marriage cirtificate “(Legal Document)” of our union his mother had him cremated and his ashes taken back to Missouri where we came from. That is only one example how painful it is. His suicide tramatized me so much and her disregard for my feelings only added to my heartach. That happened on March 21 of 2007 and I still cannot type this without crying for the trauma I have to endure each day. Oh did I mention I am in an electric wheelchair for life? Yes I am and it is very diffacult to find another mate when you are 58 and in a wheelchair. “
Posted by: shadow_man | June 23, 2010, 11:03 am 11:03 am
He will keep working…but will he rest?
As in “I will not rest until (fill in the blank)”.
Do 39 rounds of golf, vacations, concerts, chillin’ with sports teams at the WH, baseball games, fundraisers, etc. fall into the “I will keep working” or “I will not rest” category?
Posted by: tjp612 | June 23, 2010, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Our president does have alot on his plate and alot of people that were once ignored now have an ear that listens. Don’t ask , Don’t tell is obviously a disriminatory practice and should be removed as a policy. As long as soliders aren’t sexually harrassing others, gay or straight, than if someone is capable of serving this country, he or she should be allowed to regardless of sexual preference. it’s a no brainer. Gay people are just as capable and sometimes even more than straight to perform duties. only difference is sexual preference.
Posted by: TV | June 23, 2010, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
The new program is now called ‘ Don’t Tell, Don’t Tell ‘ .. for big brass with big mouths.. and it crosses all gender boundaries and preference.
Posted by: Dontget818 | June 23, 2010, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
The general and his staff should not have undermined his civilian command and Commander in Chief on the record. That undermines authority and creates dissention in the ranks. Should not compare this to dont ask ,dont tell
Posted by: TV | June 23, 2010, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
“Do 39 rounds of golf, vacations, concerts, chillin’ with sports teams at the WH, baseball games, fundraisers, etc. fall into the “I will keep working” or “I will not rest” category?”
ROFLMAO!
Its no month long vacation ignoring Osama before 9/11 like Bush but the right wingers are trying!
Posted by: Ryan C | June 23, 2010, 3:52 pm 3:52 pm
Hey all you Debbie Downers, President Obama did a GREAT job in engineering DADT repeal. If all goes as planned, then don’t ask don’t tell will be a memory by the end of next year. Yes, we do have the Obama Administration to thank for that. The past year and a half has been one heck of a quantum leap for LGBT rights. Is Obama perfect? No. If you wanted a savior then go to church.
Posted by: Dino | June 25, 2010, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm
“…and promised to keep working until the bill is signed into law….” I’m confused. Shouldn’t this read: “…and promised to START working until the bill is signed into law…”? So far, he has done little more for DADT than throw responsibility for its repeal to Congress. Thankfully, Congress appears to care more about it than our “fierce advocate.”
Posted by: Keppler | July 5, 2010, 2:55 am 2:55 am