Obama Renews Pledge to Gays to End 'don't ask, don't tell'

Barrack Obama reaffirmed an "unwavering" commitment to end discrimination against gay people, including the ban on openly serving in the military, on the eve of a protest march through Washington today to demand the president fulfil election commitments to equal rights.

An emphatic speech to the US's largest gay advocacy group, the Human Rights Campaign, yesterday, that also included a commitment to pass hate crimes legislation, was greeted with a standing ovation. But there was scepticism from some activists frustrated at the lack of a timetable on reform of the military and Obama's failure to take up any major gay rights issues in his first months in office.

"I appreciate that many of you don't believe progress has come fast enough ... Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach," said Obama.(keep reading)