Reporting,pics and vid of The Presidents Gay Donors Dinner Tonight

President Barack Obama sharply rebuked his Republican rivals on Saturday, saying anyone who wants to be commander-in-chief must support the entire U.S. military, including gay service members.

A combative Obama criticized Republican presidential candidates for staying silent when the crowd at a recent debate booed a gay soldier who asked a question of the contenders via videotape.

'You want to be commander in chief? You can start by standing up for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States, even when it's not politically convenient,' Obama said during remarks at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights organization.

Referencing the boos at the September 22 Republican debate, he said: 'We don't believe in standing silent when that happens.'

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Support: President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the Human Rights Campaign's 15th Annual National Dinner in Washington

Talk: Obama told the group of 3,000 that though there will be some movement towards change in the future, it will be a slow and inexorable movement and said his stance on gay marriage is 'evolving'

Greet: Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Joe Solmonese introduces U.S. President Barack Obama to make remarks at the HRC's annual dinner in Washington

To loud cheers and a standing ovation, he went on to say: 'We don't believe in a small America. We believe in a big America - a tolerant America, a just America, an equal America - that values the service of every patriot more work to be done in ensuring gay Americans are not discriminated against.

He said: 'We've got more work ahead of us. But we can also be proud of the progress we've made these past two and a half years. Think about it.

'I need your help to fight for equality, to pass a repeal of DOMA, to pass an inclusive employment non-discrimination bill, so that being gay is never again a fire-able offence in America.

'And I don't have to tell you, there are those who don't want to just stand in our way, but want to turn the clock back, who want to return to the days when gay people couldn't serve their country openly.

Gratitude: Obama received a standing ovation for his speech regarding the future of gay rights in America

Performance: Singer Greyson Chance performed at the Human Rights Campaign's annual dinner

'Who reject the progress we've made. Who want to enshrine discrimination in state laws and constitutions -- efforts that we've got to work hard to oppose, because that's not what America should be about. We're not about restricting rights and restricting opportunity.

'You should never have to look over your shoulder — to be gay in the United States of America. Nobody should have to produce a legal contract to hold the hand of the person that they love.'

Wedding: Two U.S. military men recite their vows after the formal repeal of the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy

Obama also compared the fight for gay rights to the fight for civil rights and the equality of African Americans in the country.

'Two years ago, I stood at this podium, in this room, before many of you, and I made a pledge. I said I would never counsel patience; that it wasn’t right to tell you to be patient any more than it was right for others to tell African Americans to be patient in the fight for equal rights a half century ago. 

'But what I also said, that while it might take time –- more time than anyone would like -– we are going to make progress, we are going to succeed, we are going to build a more perfect union.'

He also referred to the recent White House summit he held to fight youth bullying and promised his administration would continue to work on it.

He said: 'Together, we also have to keep sending a message to every young person in this country who might feel alone or afraid because they're transgender. They may be getting picked on or pushed around because they're different. 

'We've got to make sure they know there are adults they can talk to, that they are never alone, that there is a whole world waiting for them, filled with possibility.

'And I want all those kids to know the president and the first lady is standing right by them every inch of the way. I want them to know we love them and care about them, and they're not by themselves. That's what I want them to know.'

Obama has said in the past he supports civil unions but not same-sex marriage. 

His stance is a sore point with some gay supporters who say they're otherwise pleased with the president's handling of gay issues.

 

He recently announced his support of the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would repeal the Defence of Marriage Act, a 1996 law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

With the President increasingly focused on his 2012 campaign, some gay advocates believe Obama will wait until after the election to make any significant announcement about gay marriage.

Support: Though Obama's stance on same-sex marriage is a sore point with some gay supporters who say they're otherwise pleased with the president's handling of gay issues, he received a warm welcome at the dinner

Fred Sainz, vice president of communications at the Human Rights Campaign, said he expects Obama to eventually declare his support for gay marriage.

He said the President's position on this issue shouldn't diminish his work on other causes important to the gay community. 

They include the repeal of the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy and his order that the Justice Department stop defending in court a law defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

'He really has been an incredible champion for the issues that are important to us,' Mr Sainz said. 'It's fair to say we've made more progress in the past two years than we have in the past 40 years combined.'

Even without Obama's backing, a few states have passed legislation legalizing gay marriage - New York was the most recent. 

Public sentiment is moving in the direction of supporting gay marriage, with most polls showing people are now about evenly split or narrowly in favour.

Obama has recognized that reality, saying during a meeting with liberal bloggers last October that 'it's pretty clear where the trend lines are going'.

Joe Sudbay of AmericaBlog.com was among the bloggers Obama spoke with last year. He said that while most gay advocates won't stop supporting the president if he doesn't speak out in favour of gay marriage before the election, doing so could give Obama's base much-needed energy.

'He might not lose votes, but he won't gain enthusiasm,' Mr Sudbay said.

Editor of Americablog John Aravosis told CNN they have heard enough speeches but are now ready for action towards real change, especially in relation to gay marriage.

 via By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been honored for his advocacy of marriage equality in New York at a Washington, D.C. awards dinner headlined by President Barack Obama.

Bloomberg was presented Saturday night with the National Ally for Equity Award from the Human Rights Campaign, a major gay rights organization.

In his acceptance speech, the New York City mayor praised the President and Congress for winning the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays in the military. He also said the question is not if marriage equality will come to all 50 states, but when.

Bloomberg was a big backer of a law signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in June making New York the sixth and largest state to allow gay marriage.

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