White House says ‘don’t ask’ policy on gays in military is in early stages of review

October 10th, 2009 Obama reaffirms will end 'don't ask, don't tell'WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama reaffirmed his campaign pledge to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech Saturday, but offered no timetable or specifics for acting on that 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.

October 10th, 2009 Obama says will end 'don't ask, don't tell' policyWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech Saturday, 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,'" Obama said at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil rights advocacy group.

October 8th, 2009 Lesbians in military discharged more than gay menSAN FRANCISCO — Pentagon statistics obtained by University of California researchers show that lesbians were discharged under the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy at a much higher rate than gay men. Every military branch dismissed a disproportionate number of women in 2008 under the policy banning openly gay servicemembers.

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 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 5th, 2009 Mullen advises 'measured' approach to gay policyWASHINGTON — The nation's top military officer said Sunday he has advised President Barack Obama to move "in a measured way" in changing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bans gays from serving openly in the military. Obama as a candidate pledged to end the ban.

June 30th, 2009 Gay National Guard officer could be dischargedSYRACUSE, N.Y. — A hearing is under way in upstate New York for an Army National Guard officer who publicly announced he was gay to protest the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

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 8th, 2009 Court rejects challenge to 'don't ask, don't tell'WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court refused on Monday to hear a legal challenge to the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, a decision that allows the Obama administration to continue its slow, back-burner response to liberal activists who want gays to serve openly in the military. During last year's campaign, President Barack Obama indicated that he supported eventually repealing the law, but he has made no specific move to do so since taking office in January.

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 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 9th, 2009 White House to release review of low-flying planeWASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the Air Force flyover that sparked panic in New York City was not adequately reviewed and approved by senior service and department officials. In a letter this week to Sen.

April 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Women in early stages of childbirth can significantly shorten the first stage of labour if they kneel, stand up, walk around, or sit upright as opposed to lying down, according to a new systematic review. Cochrane Researchers have found that lying down can slow progress during early stages of labour, while it could be an hour shorter in women who adopted upright positions.