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Log Cabin Republicans counters claims made by Obama on commitment to Gay community

The Obama administration has failed to follow through on promises made to LCBT community and instructed justice dept to block efforts by Log Cabin Republicans to overturn 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law

October 11, 2009

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans issued the following statement in response to President Obama's speech Saturday at the Human Rights Campaign's gala:

"President Obama may have the highest level of respect for our community, but his lack of actual progress overshadows any kind of campaign-style promises he may make," commented Terry W. Hamilton  – Log Cabin Republicans National Board Chairman. "Barack Obama is the President now  – he gave the same speech tonight that we have heard many times before. Being an ally means that you need to need to not just 'have gay friends' but know what we are experiencing, and most importantly to do something about it."

President Obama tonight promised to repeal the damaging and dangerous "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Currently, Log Cabin Republicans is the only organization with an active lawsuit given standing by the federal courts challenging the military's discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and was the first case introduced on the issue after the landmark Lawrence decision.

Despite the President's promise this evening, he has instructed his Justice Department to fight Log Cabin's lawsuit, as well as other court cases challenging this gay discriminatory policies. Find more information at: logcabin.org.

"If President Obama is serious about repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", he can take action tomorrow and instruct his Justice Department to drop its challenge to our case," says Hamilton.

Log Cabin Republicans national spokesperson Charles T. Moran comments:

"Gays and lesbians are not looking for the same 'hope and change rhetoric' that we've heard for so long. The President's speech tonight rings of hollow promises that we have all heard before. While he gives his speech tonight at the HRC, his senior aides in the White House are engaged in a political game shutting down and putting the breaks on any substantive progress in efforts to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', 'Defense of Marriage Act' and pass employment non-discrimination through legislative and judicial channels. It is time that President Obama stops talking about bringing forth a 'better America' and starts making it happen."