Gay Rights Marchers Press Cause in Washington by: Jeremy W. Peters

Link to Article

Impatient and discouraged by what they see as a certain detachment by President Obama on their issues, gay rights supporters took to the streets Sunday in the largest demonstration for gay rights here in nearly a decade (Peters, "Gay Rights"). The gathering in Washington on October 11, 2009 was mostly the responsibility of a new generation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocates who have been disappointment with the movement’s leadership. The march on Sunday and the black-tie gala on Saturday hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay rights advocacy group, made for a evident couple. Mr. Obama, who spoke at the dinner, repeated his pledge to end the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and declaring his commitment to gay rights as “unwavering.” However, many LGBTs and advocates found that Mr. Obama’s speech lacked anything new and failed to acknowledge several major issues confronting the movement. Generally, LGBTs and advocates are supportive of the president, but many marchers said they felt that he had not delivered on campaign promises he made to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans.