Obama To End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Oct 11, 2009 5:00PM

Under fire from gay rights group for his lack of action since his inauguration, President Barack Obama pledged yesterday to end the military's controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Of course, such a proclamation came with a caveat that likely will cause the criticism to continue: he set no specific time-table for actually ending the policy. Obama made the announcement yesterday at a fund-raiser for the Human Rights Campaign. Speaking to a crowd of 3,000 at the event, Obama said, "I will end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; that is my commitment...I'm here with you in that fight." The frustration with Obama's lack of action has led to today's National Equality March (which also marks National Coming Out Day). If you want to join the march, you've still got time: it gets underway at 1 p.m. at Daley Plaza. Just watch out for those marathon stragglers.