Obama to end 'don't ask, don't tell'

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- President Obama told a gay rights group Saturday he will end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bars openly homosexual people from U.S. military service.

Obama addressed 3,000 people at a Human Rights Campaign fundraising dinner in Washington, the Los Angeles Times reported. He also said he wants to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which allows states to withhold recognition of same-sex marriages contracted in states where they are legal.

"I will end 'don't ask, don't tell'; that is my commitment," Obama said. "I'm here with you in that fight."

The president added that there are "still laws to change and hearts to open."

"Don't ask, don't tell" was put in place by President Bill Clinton by executive order and later made law by Congress. While it ended a total ban on homosexuals in the military, gays say the policy means homosexual service members live in fear.

Obama got a friendly reception with an audience member shouting "We love you" and others cheering when he answered, "I love you back." But some activists said Obama is moving too slowly.

"My sense is there is growing concern and apprehension that he is not going to deliver," said Cleve Jones, a longtime activist who served as an aide to gay San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk before his assassination in 1978.