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Watch President Obama's address at the Human Rights Campaign's banquet in Washington, D.C., Oct. 10.

President Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military, but acknowledged to a cheering crowd that the policy changes he promised on the campaign trail are not coming as quickly as they expected.

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Comments

[SAMRIOGLU Export]

Excellent speech, I'm very impressed

[sqewedvu]

sounds familiar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmEpD2sh0HA&feature=related

[Milex]

I'm a bit confused, and maybe someone will help me out here. What is the purpose of ending DADT? I understand wanting equal rights, but I don't think the gay community has thought this through. I DO believe in equal rights for everyone, but let's face it, this country is NOT that liberal. My concern is, when the gays come out in the military, will they be safe? Think about it. I'm sure just like there are gays in the military - there are extreme right wingers in the military also. I'm afraid that this is going to be more trouble that anyone can imagine. Do you really think that "coming out" in the military is wise or safe? I don't. There are too many ways for people to disappear or have accidents in a foreign land. Having known how it feels to be discriminated against for being African American, believe me my gay friends, I worry about your safety. I understand your issue, but I fear for you all. God Bless!

[sports14]

Hopefully I can help you out a little. I definitely think anyone who believes there won't be harassment and discrimination when gays are allowed to serve openly is being naive. With that said, any harassment shouldn't be tolerated. That's why there are organizations in the military such as Military Equal Opportunity offices that investigate acts that show discrimination or harassment because yes, they do happen today. A lot of people are worried about gays serving openly because they "don't want to be hit on or stared at or in a fox hole with someone who is gay". If they are worried about that then why are men and women both allowed to serve right next to each other. When women and African Americans were allowed to serve their county it was a major advance in civil rights. Each time, I'm sure there was harassment. This isn't going to be any different. The idea that someone should not have to hide their sexuality just to serve their country is going to be a major advance. I honestly believe that if a gay person makes sexual advances to a person of the same sex, they should suffer the consequences of sexual harassment...just as a straight person making the same comments to someone of the opposite sex.

[sports14]

Oh, as as for the comment about DADT not being a major issue I agree there are more important issues facing this nation such as the economy but to say getting rid of DADT is not important is ridiculous. If you've never deployed or been in the military, you can't understand the things that someone goes through. The mental state of someone returning from a deployment absolutely should be a concern. SOME of the things the men and women experience while deployed will live with them forever. But the straight person and the gay person who "can't be openly gay" are serving right beside each other doing the same job. The only difference is the gay one can't call home to their significant other and get reassurance that everything will be ok because of fear someone might listen to their phone call. That adds stress to their deployment...so this is a major issue. When this DADT goes away it will be one of the happiest days I'll ever experience...even up there with returning from a deployment on Thanksgiving day. I've served this country for over 8 years and given a lot to our amazing military....and I've done it as a gay person who can't be open.

[Mychaeltodd Robinson]

My concern for DADT is not that major, it's not an issue for myself, of course I want Gays to be free in all workplaces, but my major concern is ending the unoffical wars we have been involved in. We just lost 8 young men and the men are young men, no older than 30, and they died because we have not been able to come up with a plan to end senseless killing. It effects me because, I know these men have families that are now without a loved one. I want the returning veterans to be taken care of, it is becoming a major issue with the returning vets and their mental stability. I think that when a man or woman is paid to kill people, that repercussions are dangerous. We need to end the killing, and quickly.
Min. Mychaeltodd

[HenryGuo]

People are gays because they have those kinds of genes. A man who loves several women simultaneously has another kind of gene.
[e-mail])

[wafuu]

I'm happy that Obama sees the struggle seeking equality for the LGBT community as part of a larger historical search for the truth; a history rife with struggle for all who've been made to feel a part of an underclass. Lord, I"m happy that the man even showed to deliver this speech. And while I postponed watching this video for several days, fearful that Obama would disappoint; that he would have lost his connection with us, his most strident and faithful supporters; I was not disappointed. As frustrated as I am for the apparent lack of progress on equal rights for the LGBT community, I was greatly heartened by Obama's words. More importantly I was once again inspired by his humanity and sincerity. I remain faithful. You should too.

[deschl]

I love my president

[SayBlade]

Now all he has to do is to bring those troops home!

[Everett D Weathersby]

Awesome Speech. excellent. once we stop trying to force relgion and personal opinions and beliefs on different groups of people peace can and will be obtained.

[Brezzydee]

A wonderful heartfelt speech.
To all those who are disappointed that no time-line was set to accomplish these new laws. And to all the people who want to slam the President. Well next time vote in a Republican, one who is not sensitive to your causes. Or just don't vote. And be sure to get someone who won't care about your causes.
Laws come through Congress not the President. He is doing all he can right now to get some things done. Along with a 100 other important things that are due right now.
You should thank your lucky stars that you have someone who even want to put themself out there for the cause.

[JWB2012]

As we say here in Mexico, poco a poco.

[AbrahamSadegh]

The Universal Church of the LORD Almighty

YHWH-GOD the Father-ALLAH can will each human being to be Christ-like instantly.

The Kingdom of God is within us. Luke 17.21. There is no second coming of a messiah and/or a savior, a redeemer, or anyone else. The LORD desires all of us to transform our Spaceship Earth to the Garden of Eden.

* * * * * *

President Obama's speech was a major step for the LGBT community to achieve the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness every human being is entitled to.

Now, no aspect of any scripture, ideology, or philosophy that condemns the existence of genuine love between any two human beings should any longer be accepted as the eternal truth.

For example, the following is a quote from the 2005 book "The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love" by John Shelby Spong the retired Episcopal Bishop:

"Much of the persecution of gay and lesbian people both within the church and in the broad society has been carried out by self-rejecting deeply closeted homosexual people. Frequently homophobic but homosexual clergy and bishops, together with their most loyal lay followers, have wrapped their externalized rage, their rejecting and sometimes killing fury, inside the security of some authoritative system. They quote either a hierarchy that claims infallibility or a sacred source from scripture that people have said is inerrant. That is how fanaticism works.” P. 140.

[Intelligentia]

The start of Human Rights for me starts with ending race discrimination in employment. Until we end that, everything else is, in my view, secondary, though relevant!

[infinitepower8]

haha, funny. c'mon people, who here really thinks obama will keep his plegde to repeal dadt?

[AnglScarlett]

Yes, I am certain of it.

[cjnkns]

I agree - he'll do it soon ...

[MarkInEugene]

Barack Obama is the first president in my lifetime to speak in a rational, forward-thinking, courageous way about this issue. Finally, we have a President who is addressing the oppressive, arcane ideology from unconscious, ignorant people who have for decades insisted on inequality purely out of fear, hatred and/or misunderstanding.

If President Obama can accomplish his goals in this regard, he will have advanced this society to a new level of civility that will benefit all Americans.