Obama: 'I Will End Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
Calls on Congress to repeal Defense of Marriage Act.
President Obama addressed the largest gay-rights group Saturday night, raising huge applause when he promised to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell and to tell Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. Obama said his commitment was "unwavering" to achieving equal rights for the gay community and that a time will come when relationships between same-sex couples are acknowledged as "just as real and admirable" as heterosexual relationships. "It's not for me to tell you to be patient," he told the Human Rights Campaign on Saturday, addressing frustration that his administration has moved too slowly on issues like Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act. Obama did not include a timeline for repealing either of the policies. Thousands are expected to march on Washington to demand gay equality on Sunday. Obama highlighted the soon-to-be-passed hate-crime legislation that will redefine a hate crime to include attacks based on gender and sexual orientation, but raised the most applause when he said he will end the Don't Ask, Don't Tell military policy and when he said he would call on Congress to end the Defense of Marriage Act.
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