Obama welcomes gays to White House

WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama told gay and lesbian leaders at the White House they will feel good in time about his administration's efforts on their behalf.

"We seek an America in which no one feels the pain of discrimination based on who you are or who you love," Obama said Monday in his speech marking Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

The president said he recognizes many gay activists don't think progress is being made fast enough.

"It's not for me to tell you to be patient, any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half century ago," he said. "But I say this: We have made progress and we will make more. We've been in office six months now. I suspect that by the time this administration is over, I think you guys will have pretty good feelings about the Obama administration."

Obama said he has signed a memorandum requiring agencies to extend as many federal benefits as possible to gay families as current law allows, and has called on Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. He said he is urging Congress to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, and wants employee non-discrimination and hate crimes bills passed.

Obama said he is working to have human immunodeficiency virus status removed as a barrier to entry into the United States.

The president also addressed the U.S. military's "don't, ask, don't tell" policy, saying his administration is working with the Pentagon and lawmakers to figure out a way to end the policy, which will require an act of Congress.