Lawmakers Eye ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Reversal

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• GWEN IFILL:

  Tens of thousands of demonstrators descended on the nation's capital this weekend to demand that the president and Congress act to end discrimination against gays and lesbians.

  Kwame Holman has our report.

• KWAME HOLMAN:

  They came from all over the country to march Sunday from the White House to the Capitol Building, demanding change and renewed awareness of issues affecting the gay community.

• MARCHERS:

  Yes, we can! Yes, we can!

• KWAME HOLMAN:

  A main focus was on the man most here supported for president, Barack Obama. Many now complain he hasn't delivered on promises made during the campaign.

• GILBERT BAKER, marcher:

  No, he hasn't, not yet. We will see what happens. That's why we're here. We have to put pressure on not just the president, but the Congress and even the court, in order for us to achieve equality.

  JULIE MAROSKY THACKER, marcher: I am absolutely here to encourage President Obama to live up to his promises from the campaign for my family's equality.

• CHARLES SWAN, marcher:

  The same rights that any heterosexual person would have, we hope to have as well. We're not allowed to marry. We can't serve in the military openly.

• KWAME HOLMAN:

  Many openly gay celebrities were also on hand.

• CYNTHIA NIXON, actress:

  He says all the right things, but it's time for him to really put his money where his mouth is.

• KWAME HOLMAN:

  The night before, the president addressed the Human Rights Campaign, one of the country's largest and most influential gay and lesbian organizations.

  Mr. Obama renewed one of his central pledges to the gay and lesbian community, to repeal the military's don't ask, don't tell policy.