Top military officer advises Obama to act in ‘a measured way’ on changing policy for gays

October 11th, 2009 Obama again pledges to change policy on gaysWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama restated his campaign pledge to allow homosexual men and women to serve openly in the military, but many in his audience of gay activists were left wondering when he would make good on the promise. "I will end 'don't ask-don't tell,'" Obama said Saturday night 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.

October 4th, 2009 Obama to take on military gay ban at 'right time'WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will focus "at the right time" on how to overturn the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the military, his national security adviser said Sunday. "I don't think it's going to be — it's not years, but I think it will be teed up appropriately," James Jones said.

October 2nd, 2009 Reid wants Obama's view on military's gay banWASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wants to hear from the Obama administration on how to overturn the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the military. The Democratic-led Congress is considering repealing the 1993 law but isn't expected to act on the issue until early next year.

September 23rd, 2009 US Amb. Rice says Afghanistan situation is complexNEW YORK — U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice says the Obama administration's fresh assessment of American policy in Afghanistan is appropriate and necessary in light of an evolving and uncertain political landscape there.

September 9th, 2009 Report: Mixed court views on gays in militaryWASHINGTON — Conflicting Supreme Court rulings on homosexual rights make it difficult to predict whether any new laws protecting gays who want to serve openly in the military would be upheld, a congressional report concludes. The legal analysis by the Congressional Research Service comes as Democratic lawmakers push legislation to repeal the 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" law that blocks gays' military service if they disclose their sexual orientation.

July 1st, 2009 Board: Discharge gay NY National Guard officerSYRACUSE, N.Y. — A military administrative board recommended Tuesday that a National Guard officer who publicly announced he's gay should be discharged for violating the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

July 1st, 2009 Gates says he wants to soften gay expulsion rulesWASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday he wants to make the law prohibiting gays from serving openly in the armed forces "more humane" until Congress eventually repeals it. He said he has lawyers studying ways the law might be selectively enforced.

June 30th, 2009 Obama reaffirms support for gay-rights activismWASHINGTON — Countering criticism that he's done little on gay rights, President Barack Obama commemorated the 40th anniversary of the birth of the modern movement by welcoming its leaders to the White House and reaffirming his commitment to their top priorities. "I want you to know: You have our support," Obama told members of the core Democratic constituency as he and first lady Michelle Obama hosted a cocktail-and-appetizer reception in the East Room for gay pride month.

June 17th, 2009 AP source: Same-sex partners to get fed benefitsWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, whose gay and lesbian supporters have grown frustrated with his slow movement on their priorities, is extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, a White House official said. Obama planned to announce his decision Wednesday in the Oval Office, the official said.

June 15th, 2009 Obama appoints American Indian adviserWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will have an American Indian adviser in the White House to counsel him on tribal issues, a new post he promised while campaigning on Indian reservations last year. Obama on Monday appointed Kimberly Teehee as a senior policy adviser for Native American affairs, saying she will provide "a direct interface at the highest level" of his administration and will ensure a voice for American Indians as policy decisions are made.

May 13th, 2009 White House: Legislation key for gays in militaryWASHINGTON — The White House says it won't stop gays and lesbians from being dismissed from the military while the Obama administration works to repeal a decade-old policy banning openly gay people from serving in uniform. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that President Barack Obama does not plan to intervene in current cases against men and women who announce their homosexuality.

May 13th, 2009 Uruguay to lift ban on gays in the militaryMONTEVIDEO — Uruguay is moving to lift a ban on homosexuals joining the armed forces. The defense ministry confirms that Minister Jose Bayardi has signed a decree lifting the ban imposed by the 1973-85 military dictatorship.

May 12th, 2009 White House: Law only answer for gays in militaryWASHINGTON — The White House says it won't stop gays and lesbians from being dismissed from the military while the Obama administration works to repeal a decade-old policy banning openly gay people from serving in uniform. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that President Barack Obama does not plan to intervene in current cases against men and women who announce their homosexuality.

May 10th, 2009 Obama aide: Gays in military policy under reviewWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's national security adviser says allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military is in the early discussions. But retired Marine Gen.

April 30th, 2009 National poll: mixed views on gay-rights issuesA majority of Americans oppose gay marriage but support civil unions for same-sex couples and favor repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday. Quinnipiac's polling institute, which surveyed 2,041 registered voters nationwide, said it was one of most comprehensive polls ever on attitudes toward a variety of gay-rights questions.