In a rare interview Wednesday with the
gay media, President Obama rejected the notion that he's lukewarm on
gay rights.
When
asked by Joe Sudbay of the gay blog Americablog whether he
believes “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” is unconstitutional, Obama
detoured into a discussion about his support for gay rights.
“It's not a simple yes or no
question,” Obama answered. “And I've got to be careful, as
president of the United States, to make sure that when I'm making
pronouncements about laws that Congress passed I don't do so just off
the top of my head. … I think 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is wrong. I
think it doesn't serve our national security, which is why I want it
overturned.”
Obama rejected the claim by some gay
rights leaders that he's lukewarm on repeal, adding that he's been as
supportive as possible “given that Congress had explicitly passed a
law designed to tie my hand on the issue.”
“And so, I'll be honest with you, I
don't think that the disillusionment is justified.”
On the issue of gay unions, Obama
reiterated his support for civil unions, not marriage, but added that
it's an issue “I think a lot about.”