Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/dont-ask-dont-tell-military-policy-faces-new-scrutiny Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript Following protests from gay rights activists, efforts to lobby Congress and the administration to repeal the military's policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" have picked up speed. Ray Suarez reports on the movement and its critics. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. JUDY WOODRUFF: Next, the president met with gay rights activists at the White House today, and he gave the strongest signal yet that he would move to lift the ban on gays openly serving in the military. U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: My administration's already working with the Pentagon and members of the House and the Senate on how we'll go about ending this policy, which will require an act of Congress.But as commander-in-chief in a time of war, I do have a responsibility to see that this change is administered in a practical way and a way that takes over the long term. That's why I've asked the secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a plan for how to thoroughly implement a repeal. JUDY WOODRUFF: For more on the issue of gays in the military, Ray Suarez has this report. BARACK OBAMA: Enjoy the White House. Thank you. RAY SUAREZ: Today's reception at the White House followed a weekend of demonstrations around the country marking the 40th anniversary of the beginning of the gay civil rights movement and celebrating gay pride month.Among the marchers in Washington were former members of the U.S. military. PROTESTERS: Hey, hey, ho, ho. "Don't ask, don't tell" has got to go. RAY SUAREZ: They want President Obama to keep a promise he made during the presidential campaign. J.B. COLLIER: I think Barack Obama needs to come forward and support ending the ban on gays and lesbians in the military. It's bad business.