In 2008, President Barack Obama secured the LGBT vote, promising full equality for the community. Two years later, many are critical of the pace of change. The September 2010 episode of IN THE LIFE asks if the man in the White House is an advocate for gay rights, and service members talk to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Politics of Progress
President Obama’s inauguration marked more than one historic first; our first Black President is also the first American President to publicly identify as an ally of the LGBT community. In his two years in office, Obama has signed presidential memorandums expanding federal benefits to same-sex partners and extended federal protections to LGBT victims of hate crimes. But so far, his administration has not fulfilled the change he promised on key issues like The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), The Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ In response to growing frustration, some new LGBT rights groups are using aggressive tactics to push for full equality.
Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
A Conversation With… David Hall and Julianne H. Sohn
Former Marine officer, Julianne H. Sohn and former Air Force officer cadet, David Hall share experiences about serving under DADT, unit cohesion, life after their discharge, and steps toward repealing DADT.
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