Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


11

On Gays in Military, Obama Moves Slowly

White House to defend 'don't ask' in court, will seek 'sensible' change

Share

(Newser) – On gays in the military, President Obama is stalling. During the campaign, he promised to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy instituted as a compromise early in President Clinton’s term. Now that he’s got the chance, the Wall Street Journal reports, he’s being cagey. His spokesman says he wants to change the policy by legislation, not presidential fiat.

Meantime, the policy is in force. An Army National Guard lieutenant announced he was gay to test the president’s commitment. And in the case of a lesbian discharged by the Air Force, the White House will defend the policy in court after an appeals panel ruled that it must show the discharge must be argued on its specific merits and isn’t covered by a blanket approach.

Democratic presidential hopefuls raised their hands to say they would eliminate the
Democratic presidential hopefuls raised their hands to say they would eliminate the "don't ask, don't tell" policy during a presidential primary debate in Manchester, NH, June 3, 2007.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama gestures while speaking to military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, April 7, 2009.
President Barack Obama gestures while speaking to military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama greets military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, April 7, 2009.
President Barack Obama greets military personnel at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, April 7, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Sgt. Darren Manzella, an openly gay active duty soldier back from Iraq, speaks with reporters about serving under
Sgt. Darren Manzella, an openly gay active duty soldier back from Iraq, speaks with reporters about serving under "don't ask, don't tell," Jan. 8, 2008, at the National Press Club in Washington.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Andrew Chapin of New York takes part in a rally on Capitol Hill, March 26, 2007, supporting legislative efforts to repeal the military's
Andrew Chapin of New York takes part in a rally on Capitol Hill, March 26, 2007, supporting legislative efforts to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding gay soldiers.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

This is a positive step but it's in the middle of a slew of negative steps so we're not really sure what's going on. - John Aravosis, gay rights advocate and blogger

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.6.09
Galleon Scandal: Shocked, Shocked by Insider Trading
11.5.09
Rupert Murdoch Is Mad but Cute
11 comments
VIEWING:
 
EddyTeach
May 19, 09 9:16 AM CDT
Don't ask don't tell is an embarrassing and archaic policy. There is no evidence or research to suggest that homosexuality is a danger to troops or the overall mission in our military engagements. The danger comes from not having translators, engineers, and boots on the ground. We cannot put people's fears and prejudices against gays ahead of national security. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2
IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
May 19, 09 9:51 AM CDT
Have you ever been in the military or in a battlefield situation? Have you had to live in close quarters with 80 other guys for up to 15 months at a time? If you haven't then you don't know what is going on in soldier heads. The only people who should be able to repeal don't ask don't tell are the people who are ACTIVE DUTY since this policy change will affect them, and them only. So let the soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen decide if the policy should go.
Vote up! Vote down!
-2
ClingingToHope
May 19, 09 10:04 AM CDT
Yet another Obama campaign promise reneged. I cannot wait until the 2010 elections. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-5
prowlerzee
May 19, 09 10:12 AM CDT
The gays who supported Brand Zero threw themselves under the bus because for the entire election season Obama sent the message by using homophobes in his campaign from South Carolina to Texas to California...not to mention shunning the mayor of San Francisco (who supports gay marriage) and blowing off interviews with gay publications, etc. The online gay community was on to him, tho. There are plenty of people not surprised by this at all. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Reader65069154
May 19, 09 10:49 AM CDT
Our country has no draft or mandatory service, and I would argue that is a great statement about our democracy. This also means most people in the US (including the president) do not fully understand the implications of openly gay service members in the military. This policy, while imperfect, works. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 11 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

64 Stories

 Obama Looks to Lieberman 
 to Lead 'Don't Ask' Repeal 

Conn. independent has opposed policy on gays in military since '93

Oct 13, 09 7:39 AM CDT
(Newser) - After President Obama's pledge this weekend to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the White House turned immediately to key senators on the Armed Services Committee—in particular Joe Lieberman. A House bill to repeal the policy has 177 sponsors, but the White House is eager for Senate legislation with bipartisan... More »

MORE ABOUT:
gay rights • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • US military • Joe Lieberman • gays in the military • Senate Armed Services Committee • Obama administration

Reporter: Obama Dismissed Gay Marchers as 'Fringe'

White House takes comedians more seriously, Harwood says

Oct 12, 09 9:40 AM CDT
(Newser) - Barack Obama isn’t exactly quaking in his boots over the gay rights protesters that marched on Washington yesterday. The administration views the advocates as “part of the Internet left fringe,” CNBC correspondent John Harwood said on NBC last night. “One adviser told me, ‘those bloggers... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • gay rights • blogosphere • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • White House • civil rights • Human Rights Campaign • Obama administration • left wing • John Harwood

Gay Rights Rally Draws Tens of Thousands to DC

Energized by Obama's vow on 'don't ask, don't tell,' activists demand equality

Oct 11, 09 2:58 PM CDT
(AP) - Thousands of gay and lesbian activists marched from the White House to the Capitol today, demanding that President Obama keep his promises to end "don't ask, don't tell" and work to end discrimination against gays. Rainbow flags and homemade signs abounded as participants chanted "Hey, Obama, let mama... More »

MORE ABOUT:
gay rights • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • US military • civil rights • Washington, DC • Obama administration • President Obama • National Equality March

 Obama: 
 'I Will End 
 Don't Ask, 
 Don't Tell' 

President admits slow progress to gay rights group

Oct 10, 09 9:49 PM CDT
(AP) - President Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech tonight, 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,'"... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • gay rights • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • Human Rights Campaign • homosexual

Obama Seeks
to Mend Ties With Gays

Gives speech tonight, ahead of protest
march tomorrow

Oct 10, 09 11:10 AM CDT
(Newser) - President Obama's tense relations with the gay community reach critical mass this weekend. Obama will outline his administration's goals on gay rights tonight in a speech to the nation's largest gay advocacy group. It comes ahead of a major demonstration tomorrow in Washington by activists who think he's reneged on... More »

MORE ABOUT:
gay rights • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • protests • President Obama

64 Stories


Obama dawdles on vital gay issues
The Atlantic


Politics  •  Crime & Courts  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
gay rights • Don't Ask, Don't Tell • gays in the military • gays • President Obama • Dan Choi • Margaret Witt

from our news partners