Washington (CNN) — President Obama said Wednesday night he will work with Congress and the military to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bars gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed forces.

The statement came during Obama’s first State of the Union speech, as he was extolling the importance of diversity to American ideals, at home and abroad.

“We find unity in our incredible diversity, drawing on the promise enshrined in our Constitution: the notion that we are all created equal, that no matter who you are or what you look like, if you abide by the law you should be protected by it,” he said.

“We must continually renew this promise. My administration has a Civil Rights Division that is once again prosecuting civil rights violations and employment discrimination. We finally strengthened our laws to protect against crimes driven by hate,” he said.
“This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are.”

The issue has been a source of contention for heavy hitters on both sides of the issue, who have been lining up for a fight.

To read more, please go to http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/27/obama.gays.military/?hpt=T1

Washington (CNN) — President Obama said Wednesday night he will work with Congress and the military to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bars gays and lesbians from openly serving in the armed forces.
The statement came during Obama’s first State of the Union speech, as he was extolling the importance of diversity to [...]

In 1992, President Clinton suspended the military’s policy which barred gay, lesbian and bisexual people from serving in the military.

Congress later passed DADT in 1993.

The law says GLB members are allowed to serve unless they:
–Make a statement of their sexuality , publicly or even to family and friends (and are later turned in)
–Attempt to marry a person of the same sex
–Get caught engaging in a homosexual act

In 2005, a bill was introduced in the House to repeal DADT. The bill however did not have enough support to make it out of committee.

In 2008, more than 100 retired generals and admirals called for a DADT repeal. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has called for a review of the policy.

During the 2008 presidential election, then-candidate Barack Obama promised to end the DADT policy.

Obama, as president, has been criticized by GLB groups for not pushing harder to get the law repealed.

Military statistics indicate that from 1997 to 2008 — over 10,500 service members have been discharged under the law.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network — an organization providing legal help — say over 13,000 GLB members have been discharged since 1994.

To read more, please go to http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/27/obama.gays.military/?hpt=T1

In 1992, President Clinton suspended the military’s policy which barred gay, lesbian and bisexual people from serving in the military.
Congress later passed DADT in 1993.
The law says GLB members are allowed to serve unless they:
–Make a statement of their sexuality , publicly or even to family and friends (and are later turned in)
–Attempt to marry [...]