Barack Obama, the US president, has told gay-rights supporters that he will end the policy that prohibits openly gay people from serving in the US military.
Source: The Agencies
- Speaking on the eve of a major gay-rights march on Saturday at a dinner held by the Human Rights Campaign, a gay advocacy group, Obama said he would end the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell".
- "We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country," Obama said to a standing ovation.
- "We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage ... especially when we are fighting two wars."
- Obama last week nominated an openly gay lawyer, David Huebner, to serve as his ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.
- However, many gay activists are frustrated Obama has not moved more quickly to carry out election promises, such as repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars the federal government from forcing states to recognise gay marriage.
- Activists plan to march in Washington on Sunday to urge action on these issues.
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