Gay rights activists growing impatient with Obama
D.C. GATHERING | 'I want to see what he does'
Many of the gay rights activists who will hear President Obama speak at the Human Rights Campaign banquet in Washington, D.C., Saturday worked to get him elected.
They had realistic expectations of what he could do for them if he won, but they have grown impatient with a president who has said nice things but done little more than extend limited rights to federal employees' same-sex partners.
(AP)
Obama determined that granting health benefits to same-sex partners was beyond his authority.
"I don't care what he says Saturday night -- I want to see what he does," Illinois Equality Now founder Rick Garcia said.
This is the second major olive branch Obama has extended to the gay community. He had a White House reception in June at which he tried to reassure his skeptical gay supporters to give him time.
Will Obama have some gay rights legislation or an administrative order in hand when he appears at the gala Saturday night on the eve of the activists' march on Washington?
Attendees are hoping he has more than just a good speech for the more than 3,000 expected to attend.
"I've heard good words coming out of his mouth on things he wants to do, but I'd like a timeline," said John K. Barry, who sits on the board of the Human Rights Campaign. "Him coming to speak is alleviating the impatience a bit, but I'd like to have a understanding of what's going to happen when."
Chicago gay rights campaigner Richard Streetman said: "The first national gay rights march was in 1979, and there were five goals, including marriage, serving in the military -- none of those goals have been accomplished."
But the gay community itself is divided between those who want an immediate end to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and those who fear that such action could help Republicans retake Congress.
"I like this president, and I think he's doing the best job he can under the circumstances," Garcia said. "On 'Don't Ask Don't Tell,' he's hemming and hawing ... and not doing it. If Harry Truman could integrate the armed forces with the stroke of a pen, so could Barack Obama."