Obama asks for patience, promises more progress on gay rights

Countering criticism that he has done little to advance gay rights, President Obama commemorated the 40th anniversary yesterday of the birth of the modern movement by welcoming its leaders to the White House and reaffirming his commitment to their top priorities.

“I will not only be your friend; I will continue to be an ally and a champion and a president who fights with you and for you," Obama told members of the core Democratic constituency as he and his wife Michelle hosted a cocktail-and-appetizer reception in the East Room marking the four decades since the police raid on New York City’s Stonewall Inn that spurred gay rights activism across the country.

Since Obama took office in January, some activists have complained that he has not followed through quickly enough on his campaign promises, including one to rescind the 1993 “don’t ask, don’t tell’’ policy that prevents homosexuals from serving openly in the military and to overturn the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that defines marriage as between men and women and allows states to ignore gay marriages performed in other states.

“I know many in this room don’t believe that progress has come fast enough. And I understand that," Obama said. But he added: “I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I’ve made, but by promises that my administration keeps."

(Via Boston.com)