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Obama Opposes Gay Military Ban, but Repealing It Could Take a Year or Two
By Amanda Ruggeri
U.S. News & World Report
December 2, 2008
When it comes to President-elect Barack Obama making good on his campaign promise to repeal "don't ask, don't tell," gays and lesbians-70 percent of whom voted for him-may have to be patient. Advocates of the repeal are warning that any action might take a year or more.
Given the host of issues on Obama's plate, they say that some delay is understandable. But it may not simply be a fiscal crisis and two wars that could put off reversing the military policy, which mandates discharge of gays or lesbians if they speak about their sexual orientation or engage in homosexual conduct.
Instead, the delay could be a result of the repeal strategy that many advocates are encouraging Obama to pursue-one that would focus on consensus building and securing the military's support.
"At the end of the day, it's not about getting it done in the first 180 days. It's not about the calendar. It's about getting the right results," says Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a nonprofit dedicated to overturning the ban.
