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Obama Drops By "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Meeting with Gay Leaders

President Obama briefly visited a late Tuesday meeting at the White House that was focused on legislative repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during Congress' lame duck session, reports The Advocate. The meeting was held by House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina and Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett and brought together representatives of the Center for American Progress, the Human Rights Campaign, Log Cabin Republicans, Servicemembers United, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and the University of California Santa Barbara's Palm Center.

"'The President stopped by to directly convey to the participants his personal commitment on this issue,' said a White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity."

As noted previously by R20, White House LGBT liaison Brian Bond warned participants via email that any discussion of pending DADT litigation was proibited, otherwise the meeting would end. White House officials later explained the precaution was due to the fact that White House counsel and LCR litigants would be in the same room.

Meanwhile: At Tuesday's White House press briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked if the President has reached out to individual Senators to change "no" votes to "yes." Gibbs reply:

"To my knowledge, it hasn’t taken place yet. But, look, the only way we’re going to get something through the Senate is to change the vote count and to move past—look, you got to get—you’re going to have to get past a promised filibuster and—in moving to the bill. And certainly the only way we can move to that bill is to change some of those votes.

The clock is running down. Watch the video WHEN YOU JUMP ...

White House: No Discussion of DADT Court Cases at Meeting

There is an interesting development to the report of a White House meeting later this afternoon with advocacy groups today on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Kerry Eleveld at The Advocate has obtained a copy of an email sent from Brian Bond, deputy director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and the Administration's LGBT liaison.

The participants include:

"Allison Herwitt and Joe Solmonese of the Human Rights Campaign; Shane Larson of the Stonewall Democrats; Winnie Stachelberg of the Center for American Progress; Aubrey Sarvis of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network; R. Clarke Cooper of the Log Cabin Republicans; Alex Nicholson and Jarrod Chlapowski of Servicemembers United; Nathaniel Frank, DADT expert formerly of the Palm Center; Jim Kessler of the Third Way."

Bond ended the email with this warning:

"'Obviously this meeting has gotten out. We are expecting the content of the conversation today to be off the record and to help us figure out how to move forward with the lame duck session. Also as previously mentioned, there can be no discussion of current court cases or legal strategy or Counsel’s Office will end the meeting. The focus is repeal and the lame duck session. This is also a non-partisan meeting where we want everyone’s help.'"

Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans and SU's Nicholson are parties to Log Cabin Republicans v the United States of America, the landmark federal challenge to DADT. To give the White House the benefit of the doubt: Legal ethics dictate that parties of a court case cannot discuss pending litigation without their attorneys present, so why not just say that? Or better yet, why invite LCR and Nicholson to a legislative meeting?

DefSec Gates Warns Congress Against Repealing DADT This Year

In this week's Friday evening document dump ...

Defense Secretary Roberts Gates writes a "strongly worded" letter warning Congress against repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" before the Pentagon concludes its year-long "study"—ie, before the mid-term elections. Because we need to get the troops' opinions first, reports the Associated Press.

"In a strongly worded letter, obtained by The AP, Gates told a House committee that forcing policy changes on the military before it's ready 'would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that in essence their views, concerns and perspectives do not matter.' Gay rights advocates want legislation this year that would freeze military firings of openly gay service members, and some lawmakers are planning to offer such a bill."

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese—who assured us that the Administration had a "clear path" toward repeal and it would happen "this year" — issues this response:

"Today’s letter from Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton flies in the face of the President’s commitment in the State of the Union address to work with Congress to repeal the discriminatory 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' law this year. If the President is going to fulfill his promise it is essential that he address this contradiction immediately. It is inconceivable that the Secretary of Defense would so blatantly undermine the Commander-in-Chief’s policy commitment. There is no reason that Congress cannot move forward with repeal while the Pentagon’s review of how – not if – to end the ban on open service continues apace. ...  Action by Congress this year ... will not, as the Secretary suggests, ‘send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that in essence their views, concerns and perspectives do not matter on an issue with such a direct impact on and consequence for them and their families.’ But failure to act this year will, without a doubt, continue to send the message to the thousands of gay and lesbian Americans serving their country in silence that their views and concerns, and the impact on them and their families, do not matter to the military leadership, including their Commander-in-Chief."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi—who this week announced her "intention" to hold a vote "this year—tells the Washington Blade:

"[Pelosi spokesperson Drew Hammill] said Pelosi’s position is unchanged. 'The Speaker maintains her hope to repeal this discriminatory policy this year.' Separately, Pelosi issued a statement publicly saying she believes a moratorium should be put in place for the time being. 'We all look forward to the report on the review of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy by the Defense Department,” she said. “In the meantime, the administration should immediately place a moratorium on dismissals under this policy until the review has been completed and Congress has acted.'"

The official response from the White House Press Office, emailed to Rod 2.0:

"The President's commitment to repealing "don't ask, don't tell" is unequivocal. This is not a question of if, but how. That's why we've said that the implementation of any congressional repeal will be delayed until the DOD study of how best to implement that repeal is completed. The President is committed to getting this done both soon and right."

The complete letter can be seen HERE.

Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton is on record for opposing any repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." In the last several weeks, a growing number of Democratic senators and congressmen have pushed to include repeal language in the FY2011 Defense Authorization Request. This letter from DefSec Gates should clearly telegraph the White House's "intentions" toward those troublemakers.

More as this develops over the weekend ...

Signorile Hosts LGBT Leadership Town Hall Today in Washington D.C.

Michelangelo Signorile, host of The Michelangelo Signorile Show on Sirius XM, will moderate a live, two-hour LGBT leadership town hall today from 2 to 4PM in Washington D.C.

"The Path Forward: An LGBT Leadership Town Hall" will feature National Gay and Lesbian Task Force executive director Rea Carey; National Center for Transgender Equality executive director Mara Keisling; Servicemembers Legal Defense Network executive director Aubrey Sarvis; former Clinton White House adviser on gay rights Richard Socarides; Pam Spaulding of Pam's House Blend and Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese.

Signorile writes: "With all the direct action protests this week by GetEQUAL, the uncertainly and anger about getting a passing vote in the House and Senate on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act—which has been put off since last summer—and the signals from the White House that it doesn't support repealing "don't ask, don't tell" this year, we'll put the tough questions to those who engage with the White House and Capitol Hill on a daily basis. In the room will be activists, including Robin McGehee of GetEQUAL, who will be posing a question as well."

Get a free 7-day pass and listen online any time at Sirius 109. If you have an iPhone or Blackberry, go to the app store and download Sirius XM for free, for a 7-day trial.

WATCH: Joe Solmonese, Clay Aiken, Meredith Baxter, Sgt Eric Alva at 2010 HRC Carolinas Gala

Pam Spaulding has a complete report on the Human Rights Campaign's weekend Carolinas Gala. The dinner was held in Raleigh, where native son and American Idol Clay Aiken was one of the celebrity guests, along with actress Meredith Baxter and Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first U.S. military service member wounded in the Iraq War.

Their speeches—Clay's is very strong, btw—WHEN YOU JUMP ...

Spaulding writes: "The celebratory mood here was kind of interesting, since the one thing that could be focused on (other than reaching fundraising goals) is that hate crimes legislation was passed at the federal level. Alas there is so much more to be done.... Did you know that the Carolinas gala is the second-largest fundraiser for HRC nationwide. When I see the room filled with so many people who clearly feel committed to LGBT equality at this gala, it is the kind of support that state and local organizations need to see as well."

Despite muddled and conflicting signals from the White House, the Pentagon and Congressional leadership, HRC President Joe Solmonese promised "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" would be repealed this year. Solmonese also agrees with the netroots that pro-gay legislation must be enacted before November. Said Solmonese: "And finally, finally this year we are going to bring down the discriminatory policy known as 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'...once and for all. I also get that there is a drumbeat coming from our community to put more pressure on, to make more demands of the President and members of Congress to get it done this year because who knows what's going to happen at the mid-term elections and frankly they are right and our time is now."

The complete reports are at the Blend.

Watch the speeches WHEN YOU JUMP ...

WATCH: HRC President Joe Solmonese Introduces Obama

HRC President Joe Solmonese introduces the President's speech and says, "We have never had a stronger ally in the White House. Never." JUMP and via C-SPAN watch.

John Lewis Georgia's "Best in Congress" on LGBT Issues

Southern Voice rates Georgia's best and worst in Congress on LGBT issues. Civil rights icon and Congressman John Lewis is considered Georgia’s "strongest ally for gay rights"—boasting a 100 score from the Human Rights Campaign and called a "lion and a legend" by HRC President Joe Solmonese. Lewis is closely followed by Rep. Hank Johnson with a 95 score.

Both have co-sponsored a series of gay rights bills. Lewis and Johnson both are co-sponsors of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act; Lewis has spoken out numerous times in favor of gay marriage and has appeared at many Atlanta Pride events.

Lewis’ district encompasses most of Atlanta, Johnson’s district includes much of DeKalb County, and both are considered two of the most solid Democratic districts in the country. As the Congressional districts move out from I-285, support for gay issues drop significantly.

Also worth noting: Lewis and Johnson's district's have the largest percentage of black voters in the state, a demographic pattern also seen in many of the pro-gay congressional districts across the Deep South.

Lewis—who has previously said "gay marriage is not a threat to heterosexual marriage"—has slammed anti-gay pastors in the black church and so-called "civil rights leaders" who say gay rights are not civil rights. Lewis told NPR's Terry Gross last winter: "I fought too hard and for too long against discrimination based on race and color, not to stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation."

Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens) comes in at the bottom of the list for his proposed anti-gay legislation and has been called "clearly one of the most vocal" anti-gay foes in Congress. Broun has a 0 score from HRC.

Georgia's Best and Worst in Congress [SoVo]

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HRC and Victory Fund Endorse Anthony Woods for Congress

The hits keep coming for Anthony Woods, the West Point graduate who earned the Bronze Star serving in Iraq, discharged under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and running in the Special Election in California’s 10th Congressional District. The Human Rights Campaign and the Victory Fund have endorsed Woods for Congress.

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which helps recruit and support openly gay candidates for elected office, says Woods "is an exciting candidate" with a "tremendous record" of accomplishment.  "He's also running an impressive campaign. ... Woods will be an authentic voice not only for the people of California's 10th Congressional District, but for the millions of Americans for whom the promise of equality remains unfulfilled."

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese adds: "Anthony hasn’t just shown his support on issues of LGBT equality, he’s lived them—especially the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'  ... There is no doubt that Anthony will be a role model for LGBT youth, and we applaud his continuing service to our country."

The special election will replace the outgoing Rep. Ellen Tauscher who accepted a presidential appointment as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. For the fundraising quarter that ended June 30th, the two tour Iraq War Veteran outraised his opponents and recruited more than 800 donors, more than "more than twice the number of donors as Lt. Governor John Garamendi", according to reports.  Woods has organized more than 4,700 supporters on Facebook, described as "more than every other CD 10 candidate combined."

Anthony Woods is the truth. AFTER THE JUMP, watch Tony Woods talk to AMERICAblog's Joe Sudbay, a recent appearance on CNN and his campaign video. If you can, please donate to Anthony Woods' campaign or his ACTBlue page. Join Anthony Woods on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@Woods4Congress). Wouldn't it be great to have a member of Congress who is black, gay, a veteran and knew what it was like to grow up without health care?

White House Reception Recognizes LGBT Pride and Stonewall 40th

Forty years after the Stonewall riots sparked the gay rights movement, President Barack Obama hosts an historic reception for LGBT activists and their families to honor LGBT Pride and the 40th Stonewall anniversary. The speech, carried live on CNN and other networks, marks the first time a sitting president has given a live televised speech on LGBT issues.

The President, who has been criticized by many LGBT rights advocates for inaction on his many campaign promises, says his Administration has made some progress on behalf of gay Americans and will do more. Full remarks AFTER THE JUMP:

"I know that many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough, and I understand that," Mr. Obama said at a reception for LGBT Pride Month at the White House. "It's not for me to tell you to be patient anymore than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half-century ago."

"But I say this: We have made progress," the president continued. "And we will make more. And I want you to know that I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by the promises that my administration keeps."

Obama spoke about the "movement" created some 40 years ago: "The riots at Stonewall gave way to protests, and protests gave way to a movement, and the movement gave way to a transformation that continues to this day. It continues when a partner fights for her right to sit at the hospital bedside of a woman she loves; it continues when a teenager is called a name for being different and says, 'So what if I am?'; it continues in your work and in your activism, in your fight to freely live your lives to the fullest."

The list of attendees was forwarded by the White House Press Office to Rod 2.0. (Full list AFTER THE JUMP.) Invited guests included openly gay Administration officials such as Export-Import Bank Chairman Fred Hochberg, Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry and Asst. Labor Secretary Mary Beth Maxwell. Leading LGBT advocates such as Human Rights Campaign's Joe Solmonese, and Jarrett Barrios, the new president of Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

There were a number of prominent black and Latino LGBTs that should be familiar to Rod 2.0 readers: Phil Wilson, Black AIDS Institute; HRC's Donna Payne; Andre Leon Talley; Connecticut State Rep. Jason Bartlett; Denise Simmons, Mayor of Cambridge, MA;  Cornelius Baker, National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition; San Diego City Commissioner Stampp Corbin; actor Wilson Cruz; Bishop Yvette Flunder, City of Refuge United Church of Christ;  Earl Fowlkes, International Federation of Black Prides; Lupe Valdez, Dallas County Sheriff; and black Chicago lesbian leaders Mary Morten and Vernita Gray, interviewed in my Advocate cover story on Obama and Hillary Clinton.

An historic occasion and we should be mindful of the progress being made and how much further we have to go. It was also a pleasure to hear Obama allude to the black Civil Rights Movement. The occasion would have been more meaningful if there were more substantive policy initiatives to announce. The guest list was pleasantly diverse ... but very Stonewall 1.5. Online LGBT activists are leading the fight for equality and none were represented. Very out of character with the Facebook, YouTube and BlackBerry-driven White House.

WHEN YOU JUMP, Obama's full remarks and the guest list.

Mixed Reaction to Connecticut Gay Marriage Ruling

With the 4-to-3 ruling, Connecticut becomes the third state in the nation to legalize same sex marriage. California legalized gay marriage in May 2008, and Massachusetts in 2004. The decision takes effect on October 28, and the first same-sex couples will be able to legally marry in November.

So far, a mixed reaction. Gay activists and progressives are overwhelmed. Republicans in Connecticut are underwhelmed but resigned to their new reality. Conservatives are predictably outraged.

Jason Bartlett, Democratic Connecticut state representative, the nation's first openly black gay state legislator and Deputy Director of the National Black Justice Coalition remarked, "I am excited that I live in a State that recognizes the principle that separate is not equal. I congratulate the Connecticut State Supreme Court for recognizing that coming up with a separate classification of 'civil unions' was pernicious and discriminatory."

Republican Gov. Jodi Rell says, "The Supreme Court has spoken. I do not believe their voice reflects the majority of the people of Connecticut. However, I am also firmly convinced that attempts to reverse this decision—either legislatively or by amending the state Constitution—will not meet with success."

Peter Wolfgang, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut and a vocal opponent of gay rights and mariage equality, says the ruling is an "outrage" and "even the legislature, as liberal as ours, decided that marriage is between a man and a woman. This is about our right to govern ourselves. It is bigger than gay marriage."

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, whose office argued against the same-sex couples', simply said, "The State Supreme Court is the ultimate authority on all state law, and its ruling on the state constitution must be respected."

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese noted "the decision strengthened Connecticut families" and added, "This is a very proud day for Connecticut and a very proud day for every American who believes in the promise of equal rights for all."