WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama reaffirmed his campaign pledge to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech Saturday, but he offered no timetable or specifics for acting on that long-standing promise.
He acknowledged to a cheering crowd that some 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,’ ” Obama said to a standing ovation from the crowd of about 3,000 at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay-civil-rights advocacy group.
The law was passed by Congress in 1993 and signed by President Bill Clinton, who also promised to repeal the ban on homosexuals in the military but was blunted by opposition in the military and Congress. Obama said he is working with Pentagon and congressional leaders on ending the policy.
“We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country,” Obama said. “We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage . . . especially when we are fighting two wars.
Obama said it was no secret “our progress may be taking longer than we like.” He then asked supporters to trust his administration’s course.
“Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach,” he said.
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. He also called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners.
He expressed strong support for the Human Rights Campaign agenda — ending discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people — but stopped short of laying out a detailed plan for how to get there.
“My expectation is that when you look back on these years, you will look back and see a time when we put a stop against discrimination . . . whether in the office or the battlefield,” Obama said.
Obama’s political energies are focused on two wars, the economic crisis and reforming the health care system.
His message Saturday was one of unity and support for a group that has funneled large amounts of money into Democratic coffers.
“I’m here with a simple message: I’m here with you in that fight,” Obama said.
Since Obama took office in January, some advocates have complained that Obama has not followed through on promises on issues they hold dear and has not championed their causes from the White House, including ending the ban on gays serving openly in the military and pushing tough nondiscrimination policies.
Richard Socarides, who advised President Bill Clinton’s administration on gay and lesbian policy, said Obama delivered “a strong speech in tone, although only vaguely reassuring in content.”
“The president and Nobel winner came and paid his respects, but tomorrow many will ask: What’s his plan, what’s his timetable?” Socarides said.
In the past, Obama has urged the gay-rights community to trust him. In June, he pointed to some initial efforts, such as a presidential memorandum he issued that expands some federal benefits to same-sex partners.
Obama publicly has previously committed himself to repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that lets gays and lesbians serve in the military as long as they don’t disclose their sexual orientation or act on it. But he hasn’t taken concrete steps urging Congress to rescind the policy, and his national security adviser last weekend would only say that Obama will focus on it “at the right time.”
