Gay rights activists march on Washington

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Thousands of gay and lesbian activists took part in the National Equality March in Washington Sunday, seeking wider civil rights, organizers said.

With protesters offering chants of "Yes we can" in English and Spanish, they hoisted banners and signs demanding improved rights for gays and lesbians as they rallied past the White House, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The demonstrators were energized Saturday night by a speech by U.S. President Barack Obama, who vowed to target the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, as well as the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Obama stopped short of saying when that would happen, but vowed to continue his support for gay rights.

"We will see a time in which we as a nation finally recognize relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman," Obama said.

The Times said a rally was planned as part of Sunday's demonstration with civil-rights activist Julian Bond among those scheduled to speak.

.