Thousands March on Washington

Tens of thousands of gay-rights activists marched on Washington Sunday, demanding the right to marry and serve openly in the military, one day after President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to those goals in a speech. Movement leaders have acknowledged a schism within the gay community between those who demand radical change in the legal status of gays and those who think patience is needed. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), an openly gay member of the House, said that the march would be "useless." "We're no longer happy with a handful of rights in a handful of states," said Kip Williams, who helped organize the march. "There is no exception to the equal-protection clause... I'm not ready to wait." President Obama promised to end Don't Ask,Don't Tell last night while addressing the largest gay-rights group at a dinner, and also said he would ask Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.