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The New York Times
Politics
On Gay Issues,
Obama Asks to Be
Judged on Vows Kept
By SHERYL GAY
STOLBERG, nytimes.com from the Web, June 30, 2009
WASHINGTON — President Obama
defended his policies on gay rights on Monday, telling an audience of gay men
and lesbians that he remained committed to overturning the military’s “don’t
ask, don’t tell” rule and that he expected to be judged “not by promises I’ve
made but by the promises that my administration keeps.”
Mr. Obama made his remarks at a reception in the East Room of the White House to
commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion, the 1969 uprising
that gave rise to the modern gay rights movement. Joined by his wife,
Michelle, the president directly addressed criticism from gay and lesbian
leaders that he had not been a forceful advocate for them.
“I know that many in this room don’t believe progress has come fast enough, and
I understand that,” Mr. Obama said. “It’s not for me to tell you to be
patient any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans
who were petitioning for equal rights a half-century ago.
“We’ve been in office six months now. I suspect that by the time this
administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about
the Obama administration.”
Many lesbians and gay men supported Mr. Obama’s election, but their leaders have
grown increasingly impatient and critical of him as president.
Mr. Obama campaigned on a promise of repealing two policies that are anathema to
them: the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law that allows states to
refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, and “don’t
ask, don’t tell,” which bars gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the
military. The president has been accused of dragging his feet on both, but
especially on “don’t ask, don’t tell” because he could use his executive
authority to order the military not to enforce the rule.
In his remarks on Monday, Mr. Obama affirmed his opposition to the policy,
saying he believed that “preventing patriotic Americans from serving our country
weakens our national security.” But he said he thought the best course was
to work with the Pentagon and lawmakers to overturn it.
“As commander in chief,” Mr. Obama said, “I do have a responsibility to see that
this change is administered in a practical way and a way that takes over the
long term.”
The explanation seemed to assuage some of his critics.
Richard Socarides advised President Bill Clinton on gay issues and has been
deeply critical of Mr. Obama. Mr. Socarides, who watched the event on the
White House Web site because he was not invited, said afterward that while he
disagreed with the president’s strategy, he respected him for “articulating why
and how” he was making his decisions.
“This will buy him some time,” Mr. Socarides said, “but he’ll have to deliver.”
For at least one person at the reception, time is of the essence.
Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, an Air Force officer who is facing expulsion
proceedings after someone informed his superiors that he is gay, attended the
reception as a guest of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which is
challenging the policy. Colonel Fehrenbach said he introduced himself to
the president after Mr. Obama spoke.
“I explained that I’m being thrown out as we speak, and that there was a sense
of urgency for me,” Colonel Fehrenbach said. “He looked me in the eye and
he said, ‘We’re going to get this done.’ ”
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