Barack Obama, Gays In The Military | featured news

President Obama acknowledged the end of the military's ban on gays serving openly in the U.S. armed forces Tuesday, saying that the nation has taken "another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation's founding ideals."

Military chiefs told the Senate on Friday they opposed ending the armed forces' ban on gays anytime soon, urging caution over President Barack Obama's effort to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

The Obama administration on Wednesday asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit for an emergency stay while it appeals a decision that lets gays and lesbians serve openly in the U.S. military.

Attorneys for the Obama administration objected Thursday to a proposed worldwide injunction being considered by a California federal judge that would halt the military's ban on openly gay troops.

President Obama endorsed a "don't ask, don't tell" compromise between lawmakers and the Defense Department that may sidestep a key obstacle to repealing the military's policy banning gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the armed forces.

Man shouts at president to move faster on "don't ask, don't tell," and Obama shouts back.

President Obama renewed his vow to allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military, but failed to offer a timetable for doing so.

Many U.S. troops in Iraq were overjoyed to see President Barack Obama take his oath, but some were unhappy about one thing the Democrat has promised to do: permit gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly.