President Obama is expected to highlight the soon-to-be-passed hate crime legislation when he speaks to the nation's largest gay rights group Saturday night. Obama might face a tough crowd at the Human Rights Campaign dinner—he's been criticized by the gay community for moving too slowly on issues like Don't Ask Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act. The Senate is expected to pass legislation that broadens the current definition of a hate crime to include attacks based on gender and sexual orientation next week. Similar bills languished in Congress under former President George W. Bush. But the bill might not be enough. Aides tell the Washington Post that Obama will not make any major announcements about Don't Ask Don't Tell or the Defense of Marriage Act in his speech, though he supports reversing both policies. Thousands of gay rights advocates are expected to descend on Washington in a march to demand equality.
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